Presented by

Mahesh Kumain

M.Sc. Student

IoF, Pokhara

Roll No: 11

Section

General forestry

Afforestation of Denuded Hill Slopes

Presentation outlines

Introduction

Methodology

Discussion

Conclusion

1. INTRODUCTION

Silvicultura

• Silvicultura is the practice of controlling the

establishment, growth, composition, health, and

quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values.

• Silviculture is that branch of forestry which deals

with the establishment, development, care, and

reproduction of stands of Timber.

Regeneration

Regeneration is defined as “the renewable of a forest

crop by natural or artificial means.”

Methods of regeneration

There are two main methods of regenerating forest

crops

1. Natural regeneration,

2. Artificial regeneration

The objectives of artificial regeneration are:

1. Reforestation

2. Afforestation

Regeneration…

Reforestation: Restocking of felled or otherwise cleared woodland by artificial means.

Afforestation : Establishment of a forest by artificial means on an area from which forest vegetation has always or long been absent.

Objectives of Afforestation

To increase the production of timber.

To increase the production of fuel and small timber.

Soil conservation.

Protection of catchment of rivers.

Increasing natural beauty of landscape

Denuded hill slopes

simply denuded means “Nango Danda pakha”.

About 85% area is covered with hills in our country.

They are also sloppy, some are covered with vegetations

and some are naked , eroded, degraded.

In most area some vegetal cover establishes naturally,

but in drier parts of the country, their afforestation

becomes a matter of importance not only for productive

and bio-aesthetic reasons but also for conservation of

soil and water.

2. METHODOLOGY

Basically, this term paper has been prepared

through literature survey from internet, books

and publications. No field visit has been made

for this purpose.

3. DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION …

The following things should be considered while

afforestation in denuded hill slopes:

1. Factors of locality and other conditions: Soil is poor,

shallow and stony. Excessive soil erosion, excessive

runoff, The incidence of grazing which was one of the

most important cause of denudation is very heavy.

2. Closure: Before starting afforestation work it is necessary

to close the area by fencing or by the cooperation of local

people against felling, grazing and firing for 2-3 years.

DISCUSSION …3. Soil preparation: Soil preparation is done either in the form

of

A) Contour trenches:

Contour trench are usually made on slope upto 20% as the

operation becomes costly on steeper slope.

They are usually made with the help of any leveling

instruments.

In forest, Abney’s level, which is the easiest instruments to

use, is generally used.

Alternatively, the contours can be easily marked by any

locally improvised wooden contouring frame,

DISCUSSION … structure A contouring frame in the form of letter “A” of English

alphabet is made of 5-6 cm wide sown timber piece, 1-2 cm

thick. Two such pieces are joint to make “A” of height 1.5m

with legs about 2m apart. To keep the legs in position, they are

strutted with a horizontal piece on which is middle point is

marked.

A plumb bob is suspended from a nail fixed in the apex. When

thread of the plumb bob pass through the middle point mark

of the horizontal piece, the two points on which the

contouring frame stands, are on the same contour.

1.5m

2m

Plumb

bob

fig. Contouring frame with a plumb-bob

DISCUSSION … structure

DISCUSSION …

B.Pitches or pits:

In place where the slope is rocky and contour

tranches can not be made, patches for sowing and

pits for planting may be made at selected places

marked by stakes without bothering for regular

spacing.

DISCUSSION …

4. Choice of species: The selection of species

depends on different factors but should be selected

indigenous species as possible. The fast growing ,

non-palatable species which can survive under the

adverse condition. It is advisable to start with either

pioneer species or species that occurs in the earlier

stage of succession.

DISCUSSION …A few species that are used in afforestation of the denuded hill slopes are

given below.

Temperate: Pinus wallichiana, Cedrus deodara, Juglans regia, Quercus

spp., Rhododendron spp., Alnus nepalensis.

Moist sub-tropical : Pinus roxburghii, Pinus patula, Alnu nepalensis,

etc.

Dry sub-tropical: Acacia modesta, Acacia catechu,, Prosopis juliflora,

Robinia pseudacacia, etc.

In chure hills: Schima wallichii, Acacia catechu, cassia siamia, Acacia

auriculiformis, Bamboos and grasses eg. Eulelioapsis binata etc.

DISCUSSION …

5. Method of raising plants: for the species mentioned

above, planting of nursery grown seedling is the best

but for some species direct sowing may be done.

6. Tending: weeding may have to carry out one or twice

in a year depending upon the local condition can be

continued for some years. However, weeding should be

done continuously so that the plants do not suffer from

isolation.

DISCUSSION …

7. Treatments of gullies: To check erosion, stone or

brush wood check dams are provided or masonry

check dams may be constructed where ever

necessary. When the dams get silted up the area is

planted with Agava, Ipomea, Arundo donax and

Vitex negundo.

4. CONCLUSION

There are many challenges to afforestation in

denuded hill slopes i.e. soil erosion, over grazing,

firing, construction of development activities etc.

Different factors must be considered i.e. Factors of

locality, Soil preparation activities, Choice of

species, Methods of raising plants, Tending

operation etc. while afforestation in denuded hill

slopes.

Conclusion …

Sites and choice of species are two major

factors must be considered while success in

afforestation activities in denuded hill slopes