An insight into the relation between landholding size, biomass extraction and conservation in Uttara Kannada district, Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Village communities of Uttara Kannada district in the Western Ghats draw a variety of biomass products from the forests, most of which are used as agricultural inputs. Estimation of firewood, green and dry leaves, and fencing material extraction by 247 sampled households in four villages of the district showed that the large farmers derive the most benefit from forests in absolute terms followed by small farmers and the landless, but the order goes reverse if the relative contribution of forests to their income is considered. Also, the biomass flow from natural forests alone is significantly greater than that from joint forest management plantation, agricultural land and home garden put together. Since biomass is an absolute necessity, the community cannot be deprived of it, but at the same time, conservation is essential. Onus should be put on large farmers with a good agroforestry potential to reduce their dependency on natural forests. A shift to live fences can eliminate fencing material harvest. Domestic firewood dependency of the small farmers and the landless can be curtailed by shifting to fuel-efficient stoves. Conservation programme should be tailored to match the type, place and quantity of biomass products extracted by different sections of the community.