Agroforestry Systems in the North-Western Himalayas: A Nexus of Biodiversity Conservation, Livelihood Enhancement, and Ecosystem Services

The North-Western Himalayn Region (NWHR) spanning Uttarakhand, Himanchal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir supports diverse agroecological zones and traditional agroforestry systems thereby conserving biodiversity, enhancing livelihood and improving other ecosystem services. Agroforestry systems emerge as a multifunctional land use strategy in these fragile landscapes offering various provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural services. Integrating trees, crops and livestock in these systems enhances food and fodder security, sequesters carbon, regulates hydrology and buffer communities against climate variabilities. In Garhwal Himalayas, agroforestry provides 0.5-0.68 kg of fuelwood per capita daily and 4.70-5.57 kg fodder per animal unit reducing the reliance on natural forests. Traditional agroforestry systems ranging from Homesteads and Silvipastoral models to Sea buckthorn-based agroforestry demonstrates deep cultural integration and resilience. However, challenges such as land fragmentation, land tenure issues, restrictive forest laws etc. constraints its wider adoption. Supportive framework and policies like National Agroforestry Policy, Nationally Determined Contributions, Convention on Biodiversity, Land Degradation Neutrality etc. helps to strengthen agroforestry in North Western Himalayan Region.