Diversity of Traditional Agroforestry Practices of Sarguja: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation

The present study was carried out in two blocks viz., Ambikapur and Sitapur of Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh to explore and document the different traditional agroforestry models along with its traditional role, values, uses and contribution toward biodiversity conservation in farmer's field level. Study reflected that there is great variation in traditional agroforestry models practiced by farming community and they make multiple traditional uses and derived various outputs besides the livelihoods. During this study six different agroforestry viz., Agri-Silviculture system, Multipurpose tree based production system, homegarden, boundary plantation system, Agri-horticulture system and Horti-silviculture scheme were recorded. Acacia species, Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus spp, Albizia spp, Tectona grandis and Mangifera indica were the common species found in various agroforestry systems. Agri-silviculture and boundary plantation were the predominant agroforestry model in the concerned study sites. A sum of 62 different plant species was recorded from the various agroforestry systems. Among the 62 species 15 were crop species, 20 representing the vegetables and 27 tree species. Result suggests substantial species diversity and utilization of traditional knowledge towards biological conservation and preservation of gene pool at field or farm level among the farming communities.