Study the Socio-Economic Dynamics of Farming Communities Practicing Agroforestry in upstream Catchment area of Gobind Sagar Reservoir
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53550/ijsc.v53.i2.201Keywords:
Agroforestry knowledge, Fodder and fuelwood consumption, Gobind Sagar Reservoir, Household income, Land managementAbstract
The present investigation aimed to explore the socio-economic transformations experienced by farming communities under the influence of the nearby water reservoir. The socio-economic dynamics of 375 households across 25 villages in upstream catchment area of the Gobind Sagar Reservoir in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, were examined to assess the influence of reservoir proximity on agroforestry adoption and livelihoods. Households were grouped into seven distance classes (D1 = 0-2 km, D2 = 2-4 km, D3 = 4-6 km, D4 = 6-8 km, D5 = 8-10 km, D6 = 10-12 km, and D7 = 12-14 km) at 2 km intervals. The highest number of households was in D4 (372) and D5 (361), with family sizes ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 members. D4 also had the largest population (911 males, 883 females), while literacy peaked at 80.67% in D6. Households in D1 held the largest land (1.92 ha) and cultivated land (1.25 ha), whereas fodder consumption was highest in D5 (70.56 kg day-1 household-1) and D4 (70.17 kg day-1 household-1). Fuelwood use was greater among households near the reservoir. Agroforestry knowledge was highest in wider distance classes i.e. D7 and D5 (42.50%), compared to closer distance classes like D1 (30.67%) and D2 (30.33%). Positive correlations were found between cultivated land and ghasni (grassland), and between livestock population and fodder use, while agroforestry knowledge negatively correlated with fuelwood consumption. These findings suggest that reservoir proximity influences landholding, resource use, and agroforestry practices, shaping household adaptation strategies and socio-economic outcomes. The findings of this study can be utilized to design location-specific agroforestry and livelihood enhancement programs for communities influenced by water reservoirs.
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