AGRO-FORESTRY

A JUDICIOUS USE OF DESERT ECO-SYSTEM BY MAN

BY
S.P. MALHOTRA
H.5 TRIVEDI
Y.N. MATHUR

mw3r.J!1
leAR

1985
blVISION OF HUMAN FACTOR STUDIES,
CENTRAL ARID ZONE RESEARCH INSTITUTE,
JODHPUR - 342 003, JNDJA
 CAZRI Publication No. 27
August 1986

Publication Committee

P.K. Ghosh Chairman

Vinod Shankar Member
S. Kathju Member
R.K. Abichandani Member
Sr. Accounts officer (P.N. Vali) Ex-officio member
Sr. Administrative officer (S.N. Jha) Ex-officio member

Published by the Director, Central Arid Zone Research Institue, Jodhpur

Printed by Mis Cheenu Enterprise, Jodhpur, at Rajaslhan Law Weekly Press, Jodhpur.
 CONTENTS
Pages
Introduction 1 - 2
Jaisalmer-Pugal-Girab zone 3 - 8
Barmer-Osian-Bikaner zone 9 - 14
]odhpur-Nagaur-Shekhavati zone 15 - 18
Nawalgarh-Sikar zone 19 - 23
Pali zone 24 - 26
Bordering eastern Ajmer zone 27 - 28
Jalore zone 29 - 32
Sirohi and Sojat zone 33 - 35
Concluding ramarks 35
Acknowledgements 37
References 39
 PREFACE
Agro-forestry is currently being adopted for intensive scientific researches but
the resource use being the decisive factor, the desert dwellers had adopted the system
of agro-forestry since ancient times. Desert dwellers are the repository of this great
knowledge, and history has it on record, that this system not only carried them thro-
ugh the vulnerable situations of the desert but it well maintained them. A pioneering
attempt has been made by the authors to collect and present this existing knowledge
among the desert dwellers which I do hope shall be quite fruitful for building up any
research or extension programmes in the field of agro-forestry.

Dated 18-12-85 K.A. Shankaranarayan

Director
 Introduction
The human population of the arid
zone of Rajasthan has been cOl1ditioned
by the disturbances in the ecological
balance of the region owing to the vaga-
ries of the climate. Agriculture in the
region has always been a big gamble and
the famines of different kinds namely
Allkal (great famme) , lalka/ (scarcity of
water), Tillkal (scarcity of fodder) and
Trikal (scarcity of fodder, . water and
grain), have been of common occurrence
in the region. The historical situations
revealed in a common traditional folk
saying summarizing the expectation of
periods of harsh conditions:
"7 Akal, 27 Zaman a, 63 Kuria Kacha
and 3 Bheesan Akal"
(In a span of 100 years there would be
seven famine years, twenty seven good
years, sixtythree years of average har-
vest and three extreme famine years).
The extent of degree of famine
dispersion is further revealed in a famous
Rajasthani local saying:
"Pug Poongal, Sar Merte, Udraj Bikancr'
Bhoolo Chukyo Jodhpur, Thayo
Jaisalmer".
(Famine keeps its legs standing in Poongal
region in the heart of desert, head in
Merta, stomach in Bikaner and may move
to Jodhpur and stays for ever in their
hometow~ of Jaisalmer).
1
This particular folk saying indicates
that some areas of Western Rajasthan are
less prone to desertic conditions and some
are more prone to extereme desertic COn-
ditions. Accordingly, eight agro-forestry
zones have been primarily delineated and
the trees, shrubs and grasses grown with,
crops in each of these regions have been
described (Fig. I).
Being fully aware of the dangers of
famines, the arid zone society had built in
a judicious system of the fragile eco-sytsem.
Such practices highlight the fact that
inherent in the social system of the region
there were tenacious means and adjustment
mechanisms to cope with the hazardous
and challenging situations and for maint-
aining the resources use equilibrium. The
arid zone people led a hard life but. they
atleast maintained a rough equilibrium
between man, land, livestock and plants.
The cultivation in between trees
and shrubs has been traditionally practiced
by the desert dwellers. They have a strong
belief that trees and shrubs not only
provide livestock feed but also increase
crop growth under their canopy. As it is,
cultivation of crops alone is a big gamble
in the arid areas since the rainfall would
not only vary five to ten folds from one
year to another, but also during the same
year at places just a few kilometers from
each other. Most desert dwellers, therefore
raise livestock as a subsidary occupation
and allo~ trees and shrubs to grow along
with cultivated crops to mainly cover the
risk and uncertainity of crop maturity.
Whenever all other means of survival fail,
the desert dwellers fall back to agro-for-
esty. In good rainfall years~ the trees and
shrubs provide fuel and fencing material,
soil fertility,_ vegetables and fruits, and
material for thatched hutments, etc., in
addition to providing livestock feed. In
short, agro-foresty h~s been traditionally
practiced in the desert region to achieve,
more especially, the following benefits:
(a) For getting fodder for livestock,
(b) For meeting the fuel require-
ments oj the households,
(c) For getting fencing materials
for the agricultural fields and
hutmenlS.
(d) For getting materials for const-
ruction of thatched hutments,
(e) For getting vegetables, and fruits
for human consumption,
(f) For getting Crude drug from
plants,and
".
(g) For getting protection from
wind b1'asts leading to erosion
of soils and 'also for adding
green manurl( in the fields
(specificaJ!y when the trees are
not lopped).
For satisfying the above needs
different types of tr_ees, shrubs and grasses
have been grown alog with dffierent crops
in different agro-c1imatic zon'es in [he arid
parts of Rajasthn: In the present bulle!in
2
an attempt has been made to discuss the
traditional agro-forestry practices.
The concept of agro-foresty envisa-
ges a sustainable land management system
which increases the overall yield of the
land, combines the production of crops
and forests plants and/or animals, simul-
taneously or segmentialJy, on the same
unit ,of land a.nd applies management
practices that are compatible with the
cultural practices of the local popUlation
(King and Chandler, 1978). The concept
based on inter-cropping systems in crops
wherein trees, shrubs and grasses are
grown alonwith agricultural crops on the
same piece of land. In intercropping
systems the two component crops are not
usually harvested a~ the same time
although they grow simultaneously for a
significant part of their life cycles; the
same practice is applicable in agro-fore-
stry.
'
The availabl~ information on tradi-
tional agro-forestry practices reveal the
impo]tance of developing greater know-
ledge on the basis of past forestry practice.
Data were collected from the farmers
with the help of a specially designed
interview schedule. Besides, data were
also collected through personal interviews
with the Sarpanch, Patwari, Gram Sewak,
etc.
Brief details of tra~itional agro-for-
estry practices adopted by the farmers in
eight agro-forestry. regions in western
Rajasthan have been dealt with in the
following pages.
 WESTERN RAJASTHAN
TRADITIONAL AGRO-FORESTRY ZONES
30 100 30 60 90

LEGENDS

~ ZIZYPHUS NUMMULARIA

EJ PROSOPIS - ZIZYPHUS

mil'PROSOPIS - CINERARIA

IIPROSOP'S - AILANTHUS

ACACIA-CURRESSlfORMIS
'_ A NILOTICA
~ PROSOPIS - A LEUCOPHOLEA

II SALVADORA - PRO SOPIS

II ACACIA - PRO SOPIS

 Jaisalmer -Pugal-Gir ab Zone
This zone has extremely low rainfall
i.e. below 150 mm. Bordi (Zizyphus nummu-
laria) is the most predominant shrub which
grows well with crops, while the survival
rate of Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) tree is
poor in this f':one. Most of the villages in
this zone are situated at considerable
distances from one onother and 'many
villagers reside in compact settlements
throughout the year. each farmer possesses
land in more than one fragment which are
situated at distantly from each other. The
land is mainly sandy and unirrigated. The
farmers usually keep animals like cattle,
buffaloe, goat, sheep and camel. The cattle
use Sewan grass (Lasiurus sindicus). One
adult cattle unit requires about 10 kg
fodder daily, a camel requires about 20 kg
fodder and a goat or sheep requires about
3 kg fodder daily. The animals are grazed
in the field as well as around the residence
of the farmers. The trees, shrubs and
. grasses utilized by the cattle, buffaloe,
camel, sheep and goat are Khejri, Kumat
(Acacia senega!), Bawli (Acacia jacquemon-
tii), Phog (Calligonum polygonoides), Bui
(A erva tomentosa), Sinia (Crotalaria burhia)
and Sewan. The goat and the sheep are
mostly grazed in the common grazing
lands, while the other animals, when
required, are provided with grass and Pala
(leaves of Zizyphus nummularia) purchased
from the resourceful farmers. The cost of
Sewan grass is Rs. 75/- per quintal while
Pala costs Rs. 100/- per quintal. Pala is
3
more relished by sheep and goats. The
fodder for camel is Phalghati i.e. fodder of
Moth (Phaseo/us aconitifolius) which is
procured @ Rs. 65/- / quintal. The main
trees/shrubsl grasses found in this region
are: Khejri, Baw/i, Kumat among the trees,
Bordi, Phog, Kheemp (Leptadenia pyrote-
chnica), Sinia and Bu; among the shrubs,
and Sewall and Murat (Panicum turgidum)
among the grasses. These important com-
ponents of vegetation are grown with crops
l.ke Moth, Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)
and Bojra (Pennisetum typhoides). Til (Sesa-
mum indiclIm) is sown to somewhat lesser
extents. Mung is not cultivated in this area
since its production is generally low. All
these trees/shrubsl grasses are n('t sown by
the farmers, but, the existing plants are
maintained and their productions are
utilized as and when required.
According to the farmers, trees and
shrubs like Phog, Bawli and Sewan cause
harm to their associated crops. A tree
like Khejri has a beneficial effect on crops
grown in its vicinity but most other plants
compete with the crops for moisture/space/
air. Trees and shrubs are not providing
any fertility to the land. Farmers do not
grow trees in their land due to water
scarcity, situation of the fields at a long
distance and agro-climatic cC'nditions. No'
farmer have reported planting any tree in
their field, however, there are no any
socio-cultural barriers in tree species to be
 planted along withcrop. The farmers stated tractor removes many plants at growing
that plants like Phog, Bawli and Sewan stage. Some farmers stated that during
creaies a lot of problems in turning the ancient times, Khejri tree was dominant
tractor driven implements, leaving un- in this region. No sooner the transport
ploughed land around trees/shrubs/grasses facilities introduced; many Khejri trees
etc. Adoption of mechanical cultivation were cut down. Lopping is not been
. has become a problem for trees and shrubs practiced in this area. The graziers lop it
especially when shrubs are raised. The in the qlOnth of October-November and
farmers opined that shrubs like Phog has feed it to the goats and sheep on the spot.
.already cut down and still cutting is conti- The farmers have a value that Khejrl is
nued due to external demands of firewood. like Tulsi and if anybody cut it in green
However they do not feel that Pirog will stage, he will become childless.
be consumed in near future. Khejri is not Providing shade is the most import-
cut since it is not as much available as it ant use of Klrejri. The other uses of Klrejri
requi res. The fodder of Sewan grass is included its beans for vegetables purposes,
already under use as livestock produce its fodder for livestock, its wood for
due to external demands. The agro-forestry Kachlra housing, agricultural implements
technology is not known to the farmers. and dry wood for fuel purposes. It was
Brief~etai[s of tradit.ional agro-for- noticed that very little us.e of Khejri wood
estry practices adopted by the farmers in is done for fuel purposes due to huge
relation to different vegetations are provi- quantity of Phog is available in the area.
ded below: To burn the pyre (dead body), wood of
Khejri is used as its wood is said to be
t Kh eJrI
.. (Prosop's
., . )
cmerarla sacred. Similarly, its wood is used in
The plant naturally germinates in marriage havan (sacred fire). Its Loong
the field and no farmer sow it in their (leaves) is prefered by goat and sheep.
field. However, the naturally growing Loong is also fed to the cattle. The flowers'
plants are maintained by the farmers for are pounded and mixed with sugar and
meaningful purposes. In the opinion of eaten by women during pregnancy as a
farmers, most of the present Khejri trees safeguard against miscarriage. The bark
have been maintained by themselves. The is useful as a remedy in rheumatism. The
distance from' plant to plant in the field is ashes are rubbed over the body to remove
about 300 ft. Few farmers remove any hairs. The pods are astringent.
plant if it grows at a near distance since According to the farmers, an avera-
farmers have started realizing the value of ge sized plant can give about 5 to 10 kg
the plant. Many farmers have stated that fodder but due to less number of K'lejri
the distance from plant to plant was more plants in this zone, a few farmers procure
before 30 years which is now reduced and sale the Loong. Majority of the far-
since the number of plants have increased mers utilize Loong for domestic anImals.
in last three decades. The new plants are The Loong is said to be nutritative and
not . increasing abundaf!tly because the given with the concentrate to the milking

4
cattles for raising milk production after
procuring from other regions. The average
production of pods from a plant is appro-
ximated to be 5 to 10 kg. The sale value
of pods locally known as Sangariya in the
region is Rs. 20/- per kg. It is collected
only to meet the domestic requirement.
Average production of fuel from a dry
plant is 5 quintals/tree. The fuel is used
by the farmers for domestic purposes. The
young Khejri tree situated on the Nadis
(Ponds) product gum in a good rainfall
year but i~ a low quantity, of course, it
is a best quality.
BalVli (A cada jacquemontii)
It ,is a thorny plant found abun-
dantly in and around tile fields towards
Pugal region. The plant is not allowed to
grow in agricultural field but available in
unacccounted numbers on the boundaries
of the fields and fallow lands, culturable
waste lands, permanent pasture and gra-
zing lands, barren and culturable lands.
Plant grows naturally and the distance
from plant to plant at many places is
only 5 to 10 ft. The farmers remove the
plant if it grows in the field. The farmers
opined that it is better to remove the
plant from the field since the plant restri-
cts the crop to grow. The plant is gum
productive but the process of extracting
gum is very difficult. The number of
plants in the area have neither increased
nor decreased in last 30 years. The plant
is pruned before monsoon i. e. in the
month of May-June, but many times it is
harvested anytime for fencing and fuel
purposes.
The general use of the plant is pro- . camel and goat.
t :crIOn of field and thus farmers keep it
either on the boundary or in the Khod for timber since after cutting it is easily
(the waste land). The plant provides fire-
wood. Towards Pugal, region farmers
extract gum from the plant notwithstan-
ding an expensive and labourous exercise.
The plant prod uces gum only if there is
rainfall during March-April. Such situa-
tion occurs after 2-3 years or even more
than this duration. Ordinarily, a plant
produces about 100 to 200 gms. gum. In
a seasoned year a plant produces about
1 kg gum in a day. The process of extrac-
ting gum is tedious. The gum collector
goes to the field as early as 4 am in the
morning and collect the gum interposed
by foisterous thornes. He is allowed to
collect gum from any field. One man can
collect only 50 to 100 gms of gum in a
day. During the productive years, the
farmers earn a lot of revenue from gum
collection. It is said to be the finest gum
among all other type of gums. Ladies
consume this gum during their delivery
period for more strength. Its finest por-
tion is very costly aud sold @ Rs. 300/-
/ kg. This material is exported to
foreign countries. The combined gum
material collected by the farmers is sold
to the village Baniyas @ Rs. 30/- to
Rs. 50/- / kg only.
The production of fuel from a plant
is approximated from 10 to 20 kg. The
sale value of its firewood is Rs. 20/- per
quintal. It is consumed by the farmers for
domestic purposes. Since the fencing
around the field is rarely practiced,
farmer used the thorny bushes for fuel
purposes. The leaves of the plant is a little
bitter in taste. It is preferred only by
The wood of the plant is not used
5
 damaged" by termites. However from the
root of the plant, Jhernia (curd churners)
are prepared.
Klimat (Acacia senegal)
,
A few plant of Acacia senegal are
available in and around the fields.
These plants grow naturally hut all the
farmers maintain even if it comes up in
the field, Availability of this plant is poor
in this region. The farmers do not remove
any plant if it comes up at near distance.
For the better growth of plant the farmers
prun the tree at early stage. T-he distance
from plant to plant before 30 years was not
different than today. In a few,cases it is
increased. The pods are collected during
October - November. Its seeds locally
known as Kumatia is used as vegetable.
A plant produce abollt 2 to 5 kg Kumatia
which rates Rs. 35/- / kg. Generally it is
being used by the farmers for domestic
purpose.
The plant provides shade, fencing
material, fodder and fuel. lts beans are
relished by goat. The plant also produces
gum during the month of May-June but
the productIon is very low. The gum is
demulcent, emilient and is the true gum
arabic. It is used as an emulsifying agent
and used internally for intestinal mucous
and externally to COver the infl.amed
surfaces such as burns and sores. It cont-
inues to be employed extensively in the
manufacture of confectionary and gl ues.
It is one of the main cash crops of desert
regions but its marked value depends
above over all the care taken' in ,its collec-
tion, cleaning and packing. The annual
production of fuel from each plant is
approximated about 20 to 25 kg which is
consumed for domestic purposes.
6
Bordi (Zizyphus nummularia)
It is naturally grown thorny plant
and found in each and every field. Appro-
ximately after every 50 ft. a bunch of
Bardi plant is available in the fields.
(
No farmer removes the plant even if the
distance from plant to plant is very near.
According to the farmers the number of
plants have decreased in last 30 years.
The plant is harvested in the month of
October-N ovem ber.
It is most useful plant for fencing
purposes. Its fruits are very much :relished
by the children. The fodder of the plant
is used by cows, goat, sheep and camel.
The wood of a well grown plant is used
for making the frame of cot. seats for
camel riders etc. It checks soil, water and
wind erosion. The leaves are useful in
scabies and other diseases. Smoke from
the leaves is useful in cold and coughs.
The fruits are cooling astingent and useful
in bilious affections.
The production of pala (leaves) from
a bunch of plants varies from .5 kg t05 kg.
The sale value of the pala in the region is
approximately Rs. 100/- per quintal. A few
farmers sale the pala. Fruits are not coll-
ected for sale purposes but from a bunch
plants, about 1 kg fruits are procured.
The sale value of ber fruits is Rs. 2/- per
kg. From a bunch of plants, one dheera
(a ball shaped collection of thorny twigs)
is procured <lJld lIsed for fencing the field
boundries and home compound.
Phog (Cal/igoflum polygofloides)
Phog is avaiable every where towards
Anupgarh-Pugal region. Most of the
farmers do not utilize the land for agricul-
tural purposes but keep it for grazing the
animals. Phog is abundant at such places.
The plant is natural and grows in fallow
land. The distance from plant to plant is
found to be 5 to 10 ft. The farmers remo-
ve the plant if distance' in near. During
scyere drought years the plant becomes
dried and again 'on a good rainfall years
it becomes greeny. Tl1e plant population
decreased in last thirty years according to
the villagers. Previosly it was thickly pop-
ulated and the distance from plant to plant
was 1 to 2 ft where as now the distance
from plant to plant is 5 to 10 ft. Majority
of the farmers remove the plant and sale
it in nearby town. The plant is harvested
in the month of May-June, when cleaning
of field is done for Kha.rif cultivation.
The plant is found everywhere 10
and around the field, permanent pastures,
grazing and fallow lands. The farmers
opined that with.out cleaning Phcg from
the field, cultivation is impossible, and
therefore, remove all the plant from the
fieJd. However, they do dot remove its
root because it needs hard labour. The
plant is hardy and deep rooted. If a
farmer wants to destroy it totally, he will
have to cut the plant from root for three
consecutive years. Aeditionally, the roots
of Phog are not the competitors of the
crop. It serves best as fencing on the
boundaries of the field. Although the
plant does not have spines, but when its
hight is increased, it serves better as fenc-
ing. Its flowers are used for preparation
of ~u.rry. Small leaves when crushed give
a JUIce, which is used for washing the
eyes as a cure against the latex of Calo-
tropis pro cera. When bruised and boiled in .
combinations with catechu, the roots are
used as gargle for sore gums. The fodder
7
of the plant is eaten by goat, camel and
sheep. During the droU'ght years cattles
also graze it. However, the plant is eaten
by all the animals in scarcity period. The
plants spread at surface serve as a best
check of soil, water and wind erosion. The
big sized plants serve as shade to the ani-
mals. The fuel of the plant is said to be
the best amongst all fire wood species. It
is said that ninety percent population of
Bikaner city is using Phog wood for
cooking purposes.
The production of fuel wood from
average sized plant is 5 to 10 kg. A big
plant can prod uce 15 to 20 kg fuel wood.
The entire wood of Phog is used as fire-
wood. In fact, the plant is cut and sold
round the year. There is no specific time
for its cutting. No farmer allow others
to cut Phog from their field. Every body
cut it from their own field. The fuel wood
is being sold @ 30 to 35/- / quintal.
Majority of the farmer dispose it afLr
meeting the domestic requirement.
Kheep (Leptedenia pyrotechnica)
The plant is natural and found o~
the boundary at a near distance and
serve as fencing. The plant population
has not changed in last 30 years. It is
harvested in the month of May-June.
The fodder of the standing plant is
consumed by sheep and goat. It checks
soil, water and wind erosion. Its wood is
consumed for fuel purposes. The farmers
generally prepare the rope from the plant
.and lise it in making Kuch/lll hutments.
Sinia (Crota/aria burMa)
The plant is natural and availaqle in
a lot of quantity in every field. No change
 is occured in its number in last thirty is natural but some of the farmers have
years. The plant is harvested in the month now starte<l growing this grass in the
of May-June at the time of cleaning of the grazing fields. The plant is situated at an
field. Rope is made from the plant and average distance of5 to 10 ft. The farmers
used for making kuchha hutments. The remove the plant if distance from plant to
plant checks wiid, water and soil erosion. plant is near in the field. According to
To check erosion, the farmers press the the farmers the distance from plant to
Sinia in the soil which results as a best plant has changed in the fields but it has
check of wind and soil erosion. Its wood not changed in the fallow land in last
is used for fuel purposes. The leaves and thirty years. There were more plants of
branches are used as cooling medicine.
Sewan in the fields but now reduced a lot
The plant is useful in gout, hydrophobia
due to tratcor cultivation. The grass is
and sweJli-ngs.
harvasted during the monjh of October.
Bui{Aerva pseudotomentosa} The stump of the plant is kept while grass
is harvested so on the coming rains, the
. The plant in natural and the number
plant can automatically sprout.
of plants is unaccountable. It is available
in every field. The. plant is har"vested in The fodder of grass is relished by .
the month of May-June, at the time of all the animals specifically cows, buffaloe
cleaning of the field. The leaves of the and sheep. It checks soil, water and wind
plant are eaten by. sheep and goat. About erosion.
.,
1 kg. of flowers when boiled in about 1 The production from one plant is
litre of water are applied on the inflamm- approximated .5 to 2 kg. The production
ed parts of the body against swelling. from a land of 50 bigha is. approximated
The wooly seeds when stuffed in pillows, to be 40 to 50 kg. The sale value of the
are said to relieve headache and protective grass is Rs. 70/- per quintal.
against rheumatism. The plant is said to Murat (Panicum turgidum)
p~ssess diuretic and demulcent properties
This grass is also available in this
and when taken in decoction removing
region like sewan. The plant is natural and
swelling. the farmers remove ~t if it grows at a near
Sewan (Lasiurus stndicus) distance.
Its a desertic grass and available The fooder of this grass is eaten by
everywhere'in the fields and boundries of the cattle, buffaloes and sheep but not
this zone. Mostly it is fou.nd in the lands relished like sewan.
specifically kept fallow f(lr grazing the Each plant produces about .5 kg
animals. The number of plants in a field grass. The cost of the grass is Rs. 70/- per
is unaccountable but decreasing gradully quintal. The production is mostly utilized
because more land is coming u!lder the for domestic purposes .. This grass is fed to
plough day by day. In general, the plant the animals by mixfug wit~ other grasses.

8
 Barmer -Osian-B"ikaner Zone
This has slightly higher rainfall than
Jaisalmer-Pugal-Girab Zone. The climate
supports Khejri alongwith shrub Bordi.
Many villagers reside in scattered settle-
ment and land is un irrigated. The livestock
of the farmers comprises cattle, buffaloe,
camel, goat and sheep. The farmers have
land in dffierent subdivisions. The main
trees/shrubs/grasses found in this zone are
Khejri, Kuma!, Rohida (Tecomella undu-
lata). Kankera (Gymnosporia spinosa)
Ball'alia, Neem (Azadiracta indica) from
. among the trees, Aak (Ca/otropis pro cera)
Bordi, Bawli, Sinia Phog, and Bui from
among the shrubs. Jhese were found to be
important component of vegetation
grown wit~ crops like Bajra, Mung, Moth
Guar and Til. Aak, Bui and Phog are used
for fuel pruposes in green stage while
Neem, Khejri" Bordi, Kankeda are used
when a plant is automatically dried. Accor-
ding to Bishnoi'religion, it is prohibited to
cur any tree at green stag~. The reflection
of this caste on the other castes is quite
feasible. The farmers informed that previ-
ously Phog was abundant but now it is
diminiJ1ed. Bordi is also reduced due to
tractor cultivation. However, number of
Khejri trees are on increase.
The farmers opined that under
Kankera and Khejri trees, the production
of grain increases because these plants
absorb the water from extending far
. down, but under Aakda, Sinia and Behuna
or Bepani (Tephrosia purpurea) less crop
comes up. Bord;, Khejri, Phog and Bui
provide manure to soil and enhance ferti-
lity. Small bushes absorb moisture from
crop, not the big trees. Peacock and
birds sitting on the branches of trees
damage the crop. The farmers do not
grow trees/shrubs as their land is in many
fragments and situated at distant places
and therefore maintainence is very costly.
The agro-climatic conditions are not in
favour. Trees mature very late and a
farmer can not wait for a long time.
However, there is no socia-cultural
barriers in number of tree species to be
planted along with crop. The cultivation
in Kheda (field near resicential segre-
gation) is facing a lot of problems after
raising trees and shrubs in turning the
tractor driven implements, leaving unplo-
ughed land around trees/shrubs etc., and
thus tractor cultivation specifically not
desirable in Kheda. Adoption of mechani-
cal cultivation has become a problem for
trees and shrubs, especially Bordi, of
which population is much reduced. The
farmers, in general, are interested to raise
the trees, but can not grow due to non-
availability of seedling in the village.
Agro-forestry practices are traditional and
practiced from a very long times. Brief
details of agroforestry practices adopted
by the farmers in relation to different
. vegetation are provided below:-
Khejri (Prosopis cineraria)
Although the plant is naturally
9
 growri the farmers use to protect and are collected in the month of June-July.
maintain aJl newly germi~ated plants in The approximate sale value is Rs. 5/- per
the fields. The distance from plant to kg but it varies according to the quality.
plant in the field is approximately 30 to Farmers collect it for home cOI)sumption.
60 ft. No farmers remove the plant even They do not sale it. The farmers opined
if the distance from plant to plant is near. that the collection of pods requires too
Fa'rmers opined that the number of Khejri much labour.
plants has increased five times in last Kumat (Acacia senegal)
fhirty years. Previsouly the land was A few plants of Kumat are available
owned by the Jagirdars and they were in the fields of this area, however, atleast
cruelly cutting the trees from the field. cine or two trees in every field can be
After independenc;, the farmers got the observed. The, plant is natural and no
ownership right and possession of the farmer remove the plant if it germinates
land. Now they do 'not cut the Khejri. at a near distance. The number of plants
The practice of conservation is, therefore, are increased in last thirty years. The

introduced recently after obtaining the pO'ds are harvested in the month of May-
ownership right. Only dry trees are utili- June for collection of seeds locally known
zed by the farmers for fuel purposes. as Kumatia.
Bishnois, specifically, do not allow any ~' The tree serves 'the purpose of shade-,
body to cut Khejri trees due to religious fencing, fruits, fodder, timber ,etc" The
belief. They have sl!ch a strong notion leaves are eaten by camel and g9at. The
that if any body dare to cut this tfee, they wood~ used for preparing hal (plough)
use to penalize him mercilessly. 'In the Jhern~( Curd churner), Moosal (crusher),
villages, where Bishnois dominated, other I!
OdfJ (3skets). and Chakua J (
Cart) b ut It
.
p~ople also do not prun Khejri. Howe- is easily affected by ants. Kumatia (seeds)
ever pruning of Khejri is least prevailing. is used for preparing vegetable.
The Khejri is used as shade for human
The production of seeds from each
and live-stock and its wood for doors ,
, tree is approximated to be 2 to 5 kg. The
plough, Bhun (wheel on well for drawing
sale value of Kumatia is Rs. 2.50 per
water). hutments, cartwheels etc. Loong
kg. The farmers use it for domestic
is eaten by camels while on move. Its
wood decays due to termite. The wood of .purposes.
dry tree is used for' fuel purposes. The Rohida (Tecomella undulafa)
Bishnois who do not prun Khejri for Availability of Rohida is rare in the
livestock, however, scrape the leaves by field. It is natUIaIly grown and no farmer')
ha.nd for grazing the livestock in drought remove if it germinates at a near distance.
years. During the gene~al monsoon years The tree is used for shade and its
the livestock rais,er such as Raikas, Jats, flowers are eaten by goat and camel. The
etc., prun the twigs of Khejri and feed to wood is used for making furniture such
the goat, sheep and camel on the spot. as doors, cotstand, stools, handles for
The production of pods from tree is spades, axes, etc. The bark and young
approximated to b~ 4 to 5 kg. The pods branches is used as a remedy for syphilis.

10
 The lllPer bark of the tree when rubbed
wIth oil is placed in an earthen pot with
it:; mouth sealed leaving a hole in the
centre. This vessel is placed upside down
with fire round the vessel and the fluid
from the bark trikles out slowly which is
collected. This is applied as a cure against
eczema, both III animals and human
beings.
In general, its wood is good for tim-
her.
Kt!nkera (Gymnosporia spinosa)
The tree is naturally grown. The
number of trees in and around the field are
more than Kumat, Rohida and Neem. The
approximate distance from plant to plant
in the field is about 60 to 100 ft. No
farmers remove the plant if it germi-
nates at a near distance. The Kankera
trees are increased in last thirty years.
The tree is sacramental and there is a
belief prevailing in Bishnoi community
that under this tree their religious God
Jamboji has done Tapsya (Yoga) and thus
beneath this tree there is Jamhoji ka Bassa
(Life of Jamboji). For that they do not
cut this tree. If any person dare to cut
this tree, he is penaliz~d and charged with
heavy penalties. The Bishnois have started
preserving this tree after obtaining Palta
(Jights o(Jand ownership). The Jagirdars
used to cut the trees even at green stage.
The plant is used as shade, its thorny
branches for fencing, its leaves for fodder
to camel, and its wood is used for making
ella of Hal (a part of plough). The camels
eat its leaves. One of the purpose of.
protecting this tree is its value of providing
protectio_n to deer and peacock. The wood
of a dried plant is used for fuel if it falls
11
naturally due to strong winds. Its leaves
when burnt, the ashes of the leaves mixed
in the ghee are used to heel sores. The
bark ground to a paste is applied with oil
to destroy peduculi.
Neem (Azadirachta indica)
A few trees of Neem are available in
the. Kheda (agricultural land near residen-
tial segregation). The trees are planted
by the farmers, mostly near the hut for
shade. No farmers remove the pla~t if it
germinates at a near distance. The number
of plants are increased in last thirty years.
The trees is not pruned.
The tree provides shade, its fruits
locally called Nimboli are eaten by the
childern, its leaves are eaten by the camel
and it checks wind erosion. Only dried
twigs are used fer fuel purposes. The camel
eats its leaves to a limited extent.
BalValia (Acacia nilotica)
A few trees of Bawalia are available
in some fields. The plant is natural. No
farmers remove a newly germinated plant
even if distance is near. The tree is pruned
twice in the month of May-June and
Dec-Jan.
The tree provides shade to human
and livestock, its thorny branches are used
for fencing, its timber is used for making
furniture and agriculture equipments, it
checks wind erosion if situated on the
boundry. Its dry and wasteful wood is
used as firewood, its pods are eaten by the
goats. One tree provides about 10 kg.
firewood which is used by [h~ farmers for
domestic purposes. The brui~ed leaves are
applied to sore eyes in children. The pods
soaked in cow's milk and dried in shade,
used when impotency and other diseases of
uringenital system. The bark is astringent
and d~niuiceht. the gum, inferior to gum-
arabic, with hohey, one tola each, latex
of ca/otropis pro cera (Hh of a to/a) and
fine earth are mixed and administered in
the form of pills thrice daily for cure
against asthma. The gum is also useful
in diarrhoea. dysentry and diabetes. In
about 1 liter of water, 250 gms of thornes
are boiled and the water is allowed to
evaporate to hh of a litre. This decoction
is taken as a cure against pain in the
joints. It is reported to cause heavy
sweating and 1-3 such doses comrletely
cures :he patient.
Banwali (Acacia jacquemontii)
The tree is natural and available in
and around the fields. It is stll.ted that
before thirty years this plant was rarely
available and in creased in the recent past.
The trees are situated mostly on the boun-
dries at a long distance. The leaves of the
tree is consumed only by the camels. Its
wood is used for making agricultural
implements such as Jayee (wooden fork)
oda and chabri (baskets) etc., which are
prepared by the Bheels. Its unwanted
wood is used for fuel. The tree protects
the field from wind, water and soil erosion.
The plant is pruned in the month of Feb-
ruary-March or Mny-June. The production
of fud from one plant is approximated to
be 10 kg which is consumed by the farmers
to fulfil thei r domestic needs.
Bordi (Zizyphus nummuJaria)
The farmers grow this shrub with
the crop and \hus it is available in every
field. The pl~t is naturdl. The' appro-
ximate distance from plant to plant in
the field is 5 to 10 ft. No farmers remove
the plant even if it grows at a near dis-
12
tance. According to the farmers, popu-
lation of this plant hlls much reduced in
last tj1irty years due to tractor cultivation.
Pala is harvested in the month of Novem-
ber-Decem ber.
The thorny branches of the plant is
used for fencing, its fruits are eaten, its
fooder is consumed by goat and sheep,
its wood is used for making agricultural
implements and it protects the field flam
wind, water and soil erosion. For pro-
tecting t~ field from erosion the farmers
press the thorns in the soil. 'Jihe raw
material is used as fuel.
The production from a bunch of
Bordi is approximated to be .5 to 3 kg.
According to the farmers, production of
Pala is much reduced during last several
years. The Pala is soid in the area @
Rs. SO/- / quintal. The Pala is used for
domestic animals. Each bunch of plant
produces one Pha~ (a bundle of thorny
twigs) and it is used for fencing. The
wood from a big Bordi plant is used for
ma~ing agriculture implements, frame of
cot, jayee (wooden fork) etc.
Murali (Lycium bafbarum)
The plant is natural and resembled with
Kankera. It is allowed to cut. It is used
for making Dhani-ka-phalsa or Tali (Gate
of'residential hut). This gate is made of
Aak wood and Sinia rope putting MuraU
in between. By putting this gate at the
enterance, the cattle can not enter the
hut. The leaves, when pruned and mixed
with ghee' (fried butter). are applied to
abtesses. The berries, 'are aphrodisiac.
The pOY-'der of the bark is pounded and
blown into the nostrils of horses against
bronchitis.
 leaves are eaten by the chinkara (deer)
Arna (Cleradendrum multiflorum)
which in fact did not allow the plant to
The plant is natural and available
grow (the population of deer is high
. t
mamy on the boundaries of . the field.
, in Bishnoi villages) since Bishnois protect
The farmers remove the plant If germI-
this animal religiously. The goat also
nates at a near distance. The wood cut-
consume the leaves of this plant during
ting is done in the month of Jan-Feb. ~ts scarcity period but Bishnois do not keep
wood is used as timber and fuel. From Its
goats. The wood of Aak is used for roof
wood frames of cot, jerna (curd churner)
thaching and ropes for making hutments.
dhan ki kothi (Grain drums) and oda
Its wood is also used for making cot
(Baskets) are prepared. The plant pro-
stand and Toran (symbol of Hindu marri-
~ects the field from soil, water and wind age). The process of making the rope is
erosion. It is said to be a medicinal plant
difficult and this work is being carried
and heAls a septic wound. Juice of the
out by the farmers in off season. For the
leaves' is alter;lative and given in neglec-
purpose, a few plants are collected and
ted syphilis complaints. The leaves are
locally applied against guinea worms. The processed for making ropes but only for
root is bitter tonic given in convalescence house-hold consumption. Most of the
of measles. In decoction the roots are material remained unused. This untapped
used in gonorrhoea as demulcent. The resource has a wide range of scope to
plant is given to. cattle as a cure for raise rural econamy if some scientific ways
diarrhoea and worms. are suggested to obtain maximum produc-
tion from the plant. Its wood is used as
Aak (Cu/otl'opis procera)
fuel but the farmers can not obtain much
The plant is natural and found
wood from their fields whicQ are located
abundantly in and around the fields. far from the residence. Generally poor
The farmer does not like many plants in people collect wood from those fields.
the field but certainly like to have some The wood is also used as fencing by fixing
plants for preparation of h~ltments and its sticks in the soil on the boundry. The
fuel purposes. The appOximate distance plant protects the field from soil, water
from plant to plant is 30 to 40 ft. No
and wind erosion. The leaves are used as
farmers remove any plant if it germinates
a c~re against guinea worms and are tied
a~ near distance. According to the far-
at the place where the worm emerge.'
mers, the plant population of Aak has not
Tincture of the leaves is used in intermit-
changed in last thirty years. The wood of
tent fevers. Powdered flowers in small
the plant is harvested first in the month
doses are useful in cold, cough, asthema
of May-June for hutments, in July for
and indigestion. The root bark is diapho-
crop' cultivations, and in the month of
retic expectorant, emetic and useful in
September for Ninan (Cleaning of unwan-
ted plants grow in between the crop) and
.dyse~try, in the form of a paste is applied
also When needed. . in elephantiasis. The milky jui'.;e of the
plant is irritant and applied as a cure
The' plant provides shade to the against thorn pricking. It is rubbed over
human and lives~ock population. The the body against pain in joints. The latex

13
 when allowed to fall on 1he sand is taken There is no change in plant population in
as a cure against the snakebite. In combi- last thirty years. The plant is cleaned from
nation with the latex of EupllOribia the field in the month of May-June i.e.
caducifolia locally called THOR, it is a before rains and again in the month of
drastic purgative. October.
The average production of fuel from
The leaves are eaten by the goat
a plant is approximated to b~ 10 kg. only. From the plant rope is made. A
Phag (Calligonum palygolloides) simya plant would yield 200 gms of rope.
The plant is found in and around This rope is used for making cots. The
the field. It is a natural plant and the rough quality of Tope made from' this
distance from plant to ph.tnt varied from plant is used for hutmerits. The fine mat-
10 to 50 ft. in different fields. The farmers erial of rope, which is processed with a
do not remove the plant if it grows at a little difficulty, is used in cots. It is a hardy
near distance. The plant population has plant and before rain it again comes up.
reduced a lot in last thirty years. The plant It 1S cleaned when crops are sown but it
is cleaned from the field twice in the month comes up again with Bajra crop.
of May-June and Jan-Feb.
Leaving aside the above plants,
The leaves of the plant is eaten by
Buhadi (Eromopogon fovialo/us), Bui and
cow, buffaloe, goat, camel and deer. Its
Dhamasa (Tephrosia plJrpuria) are existing
wood is used for making hutments, Singa
in 'the fields of farmers. The leaves of
(Teeth of wooden fork), Naktoon (wooden
Dhamasa are useful in leprosy. The roots
pieces fixed in the nose' of camel_s)' khee_li
are bitter, useful in dyspepsia and chronic
(stoppers of irrigated welJ). ]ts wood is
di~rrhoea, ~nlarged liver, colic and stomach
used as fire-wood. From its wood charcoal
troubles. Fresh root bark is ground and
is also prepared. Its seeaS are used for
made in"to pill with a little black paper
preparation of curry. It is also used _as
green manure in the field after threshing. 'and given in cases of obstinate colic. The
seeds are used as cooling agent. The plant
It .checks soil, water and wind erosion:'
is tonic, laxative, used as anthelmintic for
The production of firewood from children, used internally as blood purifier.
ot1e plan-t is approximated _to b~ ). to 15' A decoctious in water is used against a
kg. disease locally called Dhamaria (Cough
Sinia (Crota/aria burhia) with black phe/egm). The plant with
The plant is abundant in every field. cannabis satina is used in piles and cholera.
It is naturally grown. The distance from Blii is said to be a manure productive

plant to plant varies froIll' 2 to 15 ft. plant.

14
 Jodhpur -Nagaur -Shekha v a ti zone
The Jodhpur- Nagaur - Shakhavati
zone has higher rainfall than Barmer-
Osiyan-Bikaner zone and, therefore, most
predoment is Khejri while Bordi grown
with crops to a limited extent. The
main trees/shrubs/grasses in this zone are
Khejri, Bamvalia frJ'm among the trees
Jharberi, Sinia, Bu;, Kheemp (Leptadenia
pyrotecl111ica) and Ker (Capparis decidua)
among the shrbs; Munja (Saccharum mlmja)
IlInol1g the grasses; found to be important
component of vegetation grown with crops
like Bajra, Mung, Guar, . Til, Cowpea and
Chavla (Vigne .unguiculata) in the villages.
The farmers keep cattle, buffaloe. camel.
sheep and goat. The leaves of Khejri is
very much relished by the goat. Thus the
need of Loong (leaves of Khejri) has
arisened. IUore because the farmers have
started keeping goats on tl}e large scale.
The goat 'remains in the home in rainy
reason and requires more fodder preferably
Khejri leaves. The Loong is also relished
by the sheep and the camel. Towards
Nagaur-Sekhavati, Munja grass is available
in a lot of quantity. Bawalia is also found
!n the fields but t~e number of this plant
In the field are few. According to the
farmers in general, the trees/shrubs/grasses
~elps the crop to grow, but a few plants
like Jharbcri, Sinia absorb the mositure
of crop which resu Its'Into lesser prod uctlon
. 30 years. The Khejri is lopped during the
of grains. Phog and Bui provide manure
to. th e SOl'1 and enhance fertility by fixing'
mtrogen be'mg Iegumes through
. nodules.
IS
Farmers opined that due to lack of water
and impossibility to collect resources to
maintain plants at distant place, they can
not grow trees/shrubs in their land. Again
the trees mature very late and a farmer
can not wait for a long time, however,
there are no socio-cultural barriers in
numb.er of trees species to be planted
along with crop. Adoption of mechanical
cultivation has become a problem in
maitaining plants since the plants in fields
are not properly laid out.
>.
The agricultural land of the farmers
in this zone is divided in many subdivisions
at distance places. Many farmers live in '
scatted settlement in their field. Brief
details of agroforestry practices adopted
by the farmers in relation to different
vegetations are provided below :-
Khejri (Prosopis cinereria)
No farmers grew Khejri in their
field. All Khejri plants are naturally grow.
The number of plant in the field are appro-
ximated to be 60 to 65 in 100 bighas. No
farmer remove any plant if it germinates
at a near distance since the distance from
plant to plant is already far from each
other. The farmers opined that number.
of Khejri plant has increased during last-
month of Nov- December. In the winter the
Loong falls from the tree or its condition
is deteriorated.
 The plant provides shade, fodder, 10 to 15 kg. The sale value of pods is 4-S
timber and fuel. The wood of the plant kg per Rupee. Goat, Sheep and Camels
is used for making plough, poga (cot prefer to eat it.
stand) and Bhun (wheel of irrigated well).
The plant provides shade, fencing
The wood is easily effected by the ants
material, fodder and timber. The wood is
and can survive for a long period thus
used for making doors, plough, cotstand
many people do not use it in furniture.
and agricultural implements. The produc-
The wood is mostly utilized for fuel
tion of fencing material is about 30 kg per
purposes. The production of fuel per tree
tree. The thorny material is used for fen-
(the pruned branches) is approximed to be
cing of own fields by the farmers. The tim-
30 to 40 kg. The average yield of /oong
ber of this tree is costly and it is not used
per plant is 10 to 15 kg. The sale value of

Prosopis cineraria is Rs. 40/- to 60/- per
for fuel purpose .

quintal. The Loong is used for domestic larberi (Zizyphus nummuloria)

animals. Lopping of Khejri is profession-
The plant is naturally grown. The
alized in the area and about 25 per cent
approximate number of bunches in a bigha
farmers sale the Loong. For the collection
is about seventy five: The distance from a
of its pods which are used for the prepar-
bunch of plants to another bunch of plants
tion of vegetable, the farmers keep 4 to 5
is about 20 to 30 ft. in the fields. Nobody
Khejri trees without lopping. Otherwise
all other Khejri trees are lopped. The remove the plant if it germinates at a near
distance. The number of plants in last thi-
rate of its fuel wood is Rs. 30/- to 40/-
years has reduced. The Palo is harvested
per quintal.
twice in a year i.e. once in the month of
Des; Bawalia (Acacia nilotica) N~vember and then in the month of ApriL,

The twigs of lorberi is used for fenc-

The approximate number of trees
in a field of 50 bighas is hardly two to ing, and its fruits are eaten, its fodder is
four. All the plants are naturally grown. consumed by animals, and its wood is used
for timber. Palo is relished by all animals
The approximate distance from plant to
, plant is 500 to 1000fr. Nobody ;emove but it is said to be best fodder for cows
the plant if it germinates at a near distance. andbaffaloes. This plant serves as a check
Seventy per cent of Pre~ently available of wind, watar and soil erosion.
BalVa/ia trees are grown in last thirty Each plant gives about 100 gms of
years. It is said that under this tree, crop Pola. The Pola is weighed by lhal (which
does not rise sponteneously and thus far- contains 15 Khari (basket), olle Khori
mers prefer this plant only on the boundry. . contains about 15 kg Palo). The cost of a
The tree is not lopped for collection of quintal Pola i~ Rs. 50/- to 60/-: .Forty to
fodder. However, its pods known as Patdi fifty plants together makes 2 to 3 Dheera
is collected in the month of May-June (Bundles) of thorns. Each Dheera contains
and fed to the animals. The production about 4 to 5 kg weight. The cost of one
of pods per plant is approximated to be Dheero is approximately 50 paisa. Most

16
of the farmers use the Dheera for fencing
of the field.
Sinia (Crotalaria burMa)
The plant is naturally grown and t~e
distance from rlant to plant in the field IS
approximated to be only 2 to 10 ft. No
farmers remove the plant if it germinates
at a near distance. The number of plants
in last thirty years has remained unchan-
ged. Sinia is cleaned from the field in the
month of May-June before sowing the
khari( c r o p . . . . lmintic. It is useful fOr cough, asthma and
, The plant is used for constructIng
the chopra (shade for 'the animals) for pro-
tection of animals from wind, rain, etc. It
is also used for fuel pruposes. The plant
check~ wind, water and soil erosion.
Each plant have about 250 gms of
weight at the dry stage. After cleaning
Sinia while preparations of field, it flows
away in the air. It is collected only if its
need arises.
Bui (Aerva pseudotomentosa)
the ,plant is natural and the distance
from plant to plantis approximated to be
50 to 100 fL in the field. Most of the pla-
nst are found on the. boundry line. The
plant populations is reduced during last
thirty years. The wee9ing is done during
~h.e rrionth of May-June. The plant checks
WInd, water and soil erosion. It is also
used as fuel.
Ker (Capparis deciCl;a)
, The plant is natural. It is mostly
found on the boundries of the field. The
~istance for plant to plant on the boundry.
IS approximated to. be 10 to 50 f1. The
number of Ker plant has reduced in last
thirty years. On the boundry the plant
serves the purp<,>se of fencing. Its wood is
17
used for fuel purposes. It checks wind,
water and soil erosion. The fruit of the
plant is used for prepartion of vegetable.
The tender leaves and branches are used
as plaster for the boils, when chewed
relieve tooth ache. The fruits are astingent
and useful in Cardiac troubles and bilou-
sencess when prepared as vegetable. The
root bark is pungent and given in cases of
intermittent fever, asthma inflammations
and rheumatism. The bark is acrid,
larative, diaphoretic alexetenic and anthe-
inflammation Nayak and Bhambhi coll-
ects Ker from the COc/lOr (Grazing lands),
(where it is available- in more quantity),
Agor (watcr catchment of village ponds)
and fields and sale it. The production of
Ker fruits is approximated to be 2 kg per
plant.
Kheep (Pyrotechnica Leptadenia)
The plant is naturally grown, It is
mostly available on the boundries of the
field at distance of IS to 20 ft. The number
of Kheep plant has decreased in last thirty
years. The weeding of the plant is done in
the month of May-June.
The plant is used for making ropes
for hutments. P([cliasa (heap of grasses) is
being protected by the rope of Kheemp.
The plant checks wind, water and soil
erosion.
Munja (Secclzarum munja)
The plant is naturally grown. Many
farmers grow it on the boundry. The
average distance from plant to plant is
100 to 150 f1. In some cases it is more
than this. Number of plants are decreased
in last thirty years. The farmers opined
that the plant demages the crop. The plant
is harvested in Dec-January, but when
 there is low rainfall, it is harvested in the ing brush) and sale it. Khari (big baskets)
month of June. and Khariyas (small baskets) are prepared
The plant is u~d for making rope by Bhangis (sweeping castes). The plant
for cots, tieing the animals, an~ for mak- checks wind, water and soil erosion.
ing the roofs of hutments. Out of 10 kg Each plant consist one Pula (bundle)
total material of Munja, a farmer gets 1 of about 10 kg. weight. One Pula (bundle)
kg chal tlayer of the shoots) by which is costing about Rs. 3/-. Farmers use it
Munj rope is prepared, 7 kg Doka (shoots) for dometic purpose.
is collected by which Khan' (Big backets)
and Kharia (small baskets) are made, 2 kg Leaving aside the above trees/shrubs
Pani (leaf stalk) is collected by which /grasses, a few trees like Neem (Azadirecta
jhadoo (cleaning brush) is made or it is indica). Rohida, Indroka (Anogeissus
used in making chapra (sbade for animals). pendula) are also available in the fields of
The landless. fa~mers from Nayak and region, the wood of which is llsed mostly
Gawaria caste, use to make jhado'o (cJean- as 'timber.

18
 Nawalgarh .- Sikar agro-forestry zone
This zone has a higher rainfall then
Jaisalmer-Pungal Girab, Barmer - Osiyan-
Bikaner, and 10dhpur-Nagaur-Shekhavati
agro-foresty zone. Khejri is predominant
in t]Jis zone but a plant called 'Ardu'
(Ailpnthus excelsa) Js also found. Ardu is
a . good revenue a~curlng plant and the
shepherds generally buy leaves of a tree for
Rs. 15/- to 20/- The ratio of this plant is
I : 10 with Khejri. The farmers have land
in different subdivisions and the main
trees/shrubs/grasses foul,ld in this zone
are Khejri, Aroonj (Acacia. leucopholea)
Babool and Kankodo from among the
trees, Bordi and Phog from among the
shrubs and Munja and Korod (Dichanthium
annulam) from among the grasses. These
are found to be important component
of ~egetation grown with crops like
Bajra (pennisetllm typhoides) Mung, Moth,
Guar, and Til, in the villages. The
livestock owned by the farmers included
cattle, buffaloe, camel. goat and sheep.
AccGrding to the farmers, some trees like
Khejri are us~ful and some like Bordi are
harmful if allowed to grow with the crops.
Khejri is good because beneath this tree,
manure is available. Trees are not good
in field because squirrels, birds etc. lives
in these plants and damage the crop. No
farmers opined that trees/shrubs compete
with crop for moisture, space and air. No
farmers use to plant trees in the field since
neither they have resources nor they have
water to maintain the plant. However,
19
farmers use to grow trees on the well
Maintainence of trees in the distant fields
require huge money and labour force
which is not approachable to the farmers.
Water scarcity is a major problem to grow
plants in the fields. However there are
no any socio-cultural barriers in planting
trees. The irrigular and small fields are
facing lot of problems after raising trees
and shrubs in turning the tractor driven
implements, leaving unploughed land
around trees/shrubs etc. Adoption of
mechanical cultivation has also become a
problem in raising trees in the field. Some
farmers opined that Bordi in the field is
harmful in this area since land is hardy
and Bordi grow with the crop do not
allow the ploughing smoothly. Accoording
to the farmers many trees are cut down
due to external demands of wood. The
poor farmers either cut down the trees
from their own field and sale it or purchase
it from the rich farmers in low rates and
dispose it on higher rates in the near by
towns. Agroforesty in the area is traditi-
onal. Over all plant pooulation has
increased in this zone, however, it is more
increased in irrigated land. There are two
reasons of increased plant population,
first, increasing cost of wood and second,
the increasing need of firewood. land
with the farmers is also limited and there
fore they use to grow and maintain the
plants for meeting fuel requirement. In
the field at distance places the number of
 plants are few but in the land where resid- bullock cart. Twigs anq branches are used
ential dhanis are situated, the plant popul- for fuel purposes.
ation is high. Brief delails of agro-forestry
One tree of Khejri provides appro-
practices adopted by the farmers in relation
ximately 15 to 20 kg Loong. Its sale value
to different vegetation are provided
is Rs. 40/- to 65/- per quintal. Many
below.
farmers use fodder for domestic animals.
Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) The average production of pods from a
No farmers grow Khejri in the field tree in this area is 20 to 25 kg but in fact
All Khejri trees in the field are naturally its production is nil since all the Khejri
grown. The number of plants are found trees are pruned. Again, because of the
to be increased during last thirty years hydro-electricity spark in clouds, there
when the rights of land were transferred to will be no production of pods. Each tree
the farmers. No farmers remove the plant prvides about 30 kg firewood (twigs &
even if it germinates at a near distance branches) after procuring Loong.
since it is a revenue accuring plant. The Aroonj (Acacia leucopholea)
tree is pruned in the month of Oct-Nov.
A few trees of Aroonj are available
and all the farmers prune Khejri and sale
in the fields of this zone. The tree is natural
its Loong. The farmers opined that the
and situated at a long distance from each
pruning is professionalized in this zone.
other. The number of trees remained
The farmers opined that the pruning is
unchanged in last thirty years. The plant
resulting into a plant more healthy and
is pruned in the month of Ian-Feb, by
vigorous as also the production of Loong
the graziers. Green twigs and branches
increases. It is not in the case of Bmvalia
are pruned and fed to goats. The leaves
since pruning of this tree does not effect
of the tree is consumed by the goat and
its growth. It is a useful tree providing
camel at green stage. Some plants are pois-
shade to human and livestock. The farmers
onous and therefore, the graziers do not
take rest under the tree during cultivating
allow their animals to consume its leaves
season Similarly, grazing animals also
since the animal dies by consuming it. The
take rest under the tree in summer season.
plant provides shade, fencing material
The pods are colle~ted in March-April and
and wood for fuel purposes. Its bark is
May. The Loong is relished by cow, buffa-
astringent. and used in tannin industry.
loe, goat, sheep and camel. It is fed to the
Chemical examinations has revealed it to
camel and goat directly but the cow and
be a better substitute for tanning leather
buffaloes are fed with chopped Jowar
than wattle bark. The gum is demulcent
(Sorghum bic%r) or Bajra stalks By
and used as an emulsifying agent. The
giving green leaves to the milch cattle,
production of leaves from each tre~ is
milk production increases from one to
approximated to be 10 kg.
one and half times. The wood of this
tree is not much used as timber but many BOlI'olia (Acacia nilotica)
times it is used for making round wheel of The trees grow naturally and avai-
wel\ locally called BllZm and the wheels of lable in the fields. Generally, this tree is

20
available near the well and the dhanis
(residential segregration). The tree popula-
tion in the area is next to Khejri. The num-
ber of trees in distant fields are rare. The
number of trees are decreased in last 30
years.
The tree provides shade to human
and livestock, its twigs and branches are
used for fencing purpose and pods are
consumed by the animals. Animals use it
on the spot. The leaves are not collected
and preserved since it is very small
i,n sjze. These are f~d to the animals at
the spot in green stage. Again, the tree is
not pruned because by pruning, the trees
do not sprout like Khejri. The wood of
tree is useful for timber and used for
preparation of doors, plough, cot, etc.
Twigs and branches ar~ used for fuel
purposes a Ithough rarely because of
thorns. The fodder of this tree is not
commercial.
Bordr(Ziz~vphus jujuba)
A few Bordi plants are planted by
the farn~ers on the well and near dhanis
(residential segregation). All the plants are
not natural. It is situated at a distance of
50 to 60 feet near residential segreg~tion.
H~rve'sting o~ this' plant is done in the
mOl)th of April-May. The plants provided
shade, fencing material, and fruits. The
preference of its fodder by the animals is
a little lesser than Loong because of its
peevish taste. However, according to the
farmers if Pala is fed to the milch cows
and buffaloes by mixing with chopped
Jowar or Bajra stalks in proportion of 5kg
stalko:/lkg Pala which in turn raise tr.e milk
production from -4 kg to 5 kg. 'Ihe wood
of this .tree is useful for making cot, doors
etc ItIS a Iso used for fuel purposes. One
21
plant provides about 3 kg fodder, and
in most of the cases it is used for domestic
purposes. The Pala is sold in the region
@ Rs, 40/- to to 65/- per quintal. The
production of fruits per tree is about 10kg.
It is sold @ Rs. 1.50 per kg. but most of
the farmers do not sale it since they
collect the Pala for domestic animals.
The twigs and branches are used for
fencing purposes. One plant produces
about 10 dheera (thorny balls). One dheera
weighs about 2 kg and one dheera costs
about Re. 1/- only.
Kankera (Gymnosporia spinosa)
The tree is natural and generally
situated on the boundary at a long dis-
tance. The tree is pruned during October.
The tree provides shade, fencing material,
fodder for camel and dry wood is used for
fuel purposes.
Jharberi (Zizyphus nummularia)
The plant is natural. It is a very
useful plant and fOUIld abundantly in
the fields. The distance from a bunch of
plants to another bunch of plants is 2 to
3 metres. in the fields. The distance from
plant to plant is a little lesser in those fields
where cultivation is not adopted. Due
to tractor cultivation, number of Jhar-
bed plants have decreased. The number
of plants are more in unirrigated lanus.
The plant does not survive from well water
and thus it is mostly available in unirrig~
ated land. The plant is harvested twice in
a year, i.e., in Oct - Nov. and again in
May-June.
The fruits are not collected but the
Pala is procured for feeding cattle, buffa-
loe, goat, sheep and camel. From a bunch
of Beri plant about I kg Pala is procllfcd.
Similarly from a bunch of Beri plants

about 10 dheeras (thorny balls) are colle-
cted. About 15 Bheetakas (consisting of
about 5 thorne balls) can be procured from
one bigha of land. Each dheera weighs
about 2 kg. These dheeras are used for
fencing purposes. Most of the farmers do
not sale fencing material. Farmers from
only those castes :vho are poverty striken-
ed such as Bhambhi, Balai, Dhobi, Kumhar
use to sale their Bor(h thorns to others.
Phog (Cal/igonum polygonoides)
It is a natural plant and situated far
from each other on the boundaries i. e.
about 50 to 60 feet apart. The plant is
cleaned from the field before monsoon i.e.
in the month of May-June.
The leaves of the plant are eaten by
goat, sheep and camel. Its wood is used
in preparation of hut and fuel purposes.
The wood of this plant can bUl n in green
stage. The timber is used for making Nath
(Nail wood) of camel. The plant checks
wind, water and soil erosion.
Moonja (Saccharum munja)
This is a perennial grass found ina nd
around the field~. The distance from plant
to plant on the boundary is about 4 to 5
metres. Farmers remove this plant when
it comes up near each other. The harvest-
ing is done in t.he month of 'October:
Animals do not prefer this grass since it
scratches their mottlh. It"is us"ed for making
ijlunj rope.
The production from one plant is
one bundle of M unja grass and from a
bundle of munja grass about 100 gm. of
rope is manufactured. The rate of munja
rope is Rs. 5/- to _l0/- per kg. The farmer,
manufacture rope for therr household
requirement. Making and disposing munj
22
,
rope is done prfessionally by the particular
castes viz., Bawari and Sansi. This work is
not being carried Qut professionally by
other castes. In one of the village namely
WALl KA GUDA, these particular castes
grow munja in their fields and manufact-
u~e munja rope professionally. The munj
rope from dry and matured plant is said
to be more strong.
Looking to the availability, of munja
grass and its market value, it seems that
making munj rope is an untapped resource
potential. The munja cultivation can be
prod uctive and small scale industry cap be
suit.ably lodged.
Ardu (Ailanthus excelsa)
A few plant1! of Ardu are found on
the field boundaries, near the hut and on
the road side. The plant grows naturally as
well as by plantation. The number of
plants have increased in last thirty years.
The plant is harvested in the month of
Dec-Jan. \ts small twigs are pruned and
fed to the goats.
The plant is used for shade of human
and livestock, its fodder is consumed by
goat, sheep and camel, its pods are als'o
consumed by goat and camel, its wood is
very soft and used for making match
sticks, its dried twigs and branches are
used as firewood when the wood of
Prosopis jul/flora and Prosopis cineraria is
not "available. It is a medicinal plant and
used.in Asthma. The five compenents of
Ardu are bark, root, flower, leaves and
truits. The~e components are combined
together and burnt. "Its ash is then mixed
with water and boiled. When water is
absorbed, the remains are given to the
paitent. Each plant produces about 60 to
80 kg f0dder which is fed to the goat.
Some of the poor families living near the
town, use to purchase the trees, prun its
tWIgS and branches and sale it in the
nearest town @ Rs. 1/- per bundle (weigh-
ing about 1 kg).
Ker (Capparis decidua)
The plant is natural and mostly
available in culturable waste lands,
permanent pasture, grazing lands
and old fallow lands. The number of Ker
plants are not much in this zone as comp-
ared to other agroforestry zones of western
Rajasthan, The number of plants have
reduced a lot in last thirty years specifi-
cally in grazing lands. The fruits are
c01lected in (he months of March-April.
The fruits of this plant is used for
. I
prepanng vegetable, its leaves are con-
sumed by goat, sheep and camel, the plant
23
checks wind, water and soil erosion
and its wood is used for fuel purposes.
Leaving aside above plant Rohida
Neem, BalVali, Sinia, Kheemp, Aakra,
Murali, Hingota (Balanites eagyptiea) and
Jhinjana (Mimosa hamata) is also available
in this -zone. The green leaves of Jhinjana
tree is fed to the animals. Jat and Balais
prepare the rope from Aakra. Those
farmers who do not possess land,
burn Aakra wood as fuel wood. The
fruits of Hingota is said to be much oilish
and the children use to make their writing
slates more soft by rubbing its fruits on
the slate. From the wood of the roots of
Bawalia, the farmers prepare Jherna
(Curd churner). From Sillia and Kheemp,
rope is prepared for hutment. The beans
of kheemp locally known as Kheemi is
used for preparing curry. Each plant pro-
duces about 1 kg beans.
 Pali Agro-forestry Zone
The water table of this tract is
moderate (60 feet), irr:gation facilities are
available and Acacia nilotiea along with
Azadirecta indica and Prosopic cineraria
form the predominant tree cover in the
crop fields. Aroonj and Khejri is available
in the permanent pasture and grazing
lands. The .cultivation is carried out by
irrigation in major part of this tract.
Mojority of the farmers do not have extra
time to collect fodder, pods and fruits
from the trees. Cow-dung cakes are used
as fuel with firewood. The main kharif
crops are Til, Mung, Bajra, Kulat, Guar
and Makka and the main rabi crops are
Wheat, Barley, Raida, Kopas and Mirch;
along with agroforestry is practiced.
Mixed farming is practiced and grass is
planted with the Jowar. Agricultural
land of the farmers is divided in many
fragments at distant places: According to
the farmers under some of the trees like
, Bawa/ia and Neem crop grows lesser.
Trees shrups compete with crop mo(sture/
space/air. Trees are not providing any
manure to the crop. The bicds sitting on
the branches of Neem damage "the crop.
The land of the farmers is situated at dis-
tant places and thus it is d~fficult for the
farmers to grow trees. Maint,enance of
the plant is very difficult. The climate
also does not support plantation, Divi-
ded and small fields are facing lot of pro-
biems after ;aising -trees lJnd shrubs in
turning the tracter driver implements,
24
leaving unploughed land around trees/
shrubs. Adoption of mechanical culti-
vation has also become a problem in plan~ -
tation. To raise the plants on profes-
sional basis is not possible since market-
ing facilities are 'not a~ailable. Trees
from the area are-alreaay cut down due
t.o urban demands of forestry use. Fodder
of tret:s/shrubs are under use on livestock
produce. Agroforestry is traditional.
Brief details of agroforetry practices
adopted by the farmers in relations to
different vegetations are provided below:
B~walia (Acacia nilotia & Acacia cup-
reniform is)
The plants are naturally grown.
Generally farmers prefer to maintain 70-
60 tree~/ha ~f BalValia trees in their field.
Khajoor 'Bawalia (Acacia cupsessifarmis)
is a tall tree with acute angle branching
pattern which result in,to a compact coni-.
cal shape. This type of crown patterns
do not pernlit 'the birds to make nest and
over all crown shade is negligible. The
"crown pattern does not warrant any crop-
ing practice for this tree. The'numbe,r of
Acacia nilotiea plants are increased in
last 30 years. Pods are collected in the
month of Nov-Dcc. The plant provides
shade, its thor.nc are llsed for fencing, its
pods are eaten by goats, its timber is used
fOJ" making doors, cots etc., and its bran-
ches and twigs are used for fuel purposes.
The leaves of this plant are relished by
the goats.
 The average green fodder per plant
is approximated to be 15-20 kg but the
farmers do not collect its leaves. The
green leaves are fed to the animals imme-
diately after cuttin8 its twigs and branches
from the tree. The graziers used to take on
contract all the BalVa/ias of a field in Rs.
60/- to 70/-and its leaves are fed to goats.
Remaining twigs and 'branches are used
by the owner for fencing and fuel purposes.
Farmers also use its leaves for their own
animals. Each plant gives about 5 to
10 kg pods, it is fed to the animals. One
tree provides 20 to 40 kg fuel and its cost
is Rs. 60 to 65/- per quintal. Each plant
gives about 20 to 40 kg fencing material
for protection of field.
Neem (Azadirachta indica)
The tree is found in the fields and
grown naturally as well as by plantation.
Its population has increased in last thirty
years. Its fruits locally called Neemboli,
is collected in the month of Decenlber.
Th~ plant provides shade, its fruits
are extracted and provides oil, its leaves
are consumed by goats, its wood is 'used
as timber for' making cots, chairs, etc.,
dried branches are used as fuel. The
wood of a 'green tree is not used fcr fuel
purposes since it is treated as Narayan
(God). Its leaves are used by the animals
in green condition. Dry leaves are not
relished. In general, farmers give their
trees to livestock owners at the rate of
Rs. 2/- to 4/- per tree after using it for the
domestic animals. Each plant gives about
10 to IS kg fruits. The rate of fruits in the
area is 40/- to 50/- per quintal. From 20
kg fruitss kg oil is extracted. The fruits
are purchased by the outsiders on con-
tract basis.
25
Kh~jr i (Prosopis cineraria)
The tree is natural. Approximate
distance from plant to plant in the fields is
about 200 to 300 ft. The plant population
has increased in last thirty years. The tree
is pruned in the month of December-
JllnuilrY
The usages of this tree included
shade for human and the livestock, fenc-
ing of the field, pods for vegetable, Loong
(leaves) for animals and fuel for cooking
etc. Each tree gives about 5 kg Loong but it
is not a general practice in this area. The
farmers prun and feed green leaves to the
animals. The production of pods from
each tree is about 10 to 15 kg but no
farmer collects pods of Khejri except
Meenas whQ collect and sale it. Each
plant gives about 10 kg dried twigs and
branches which are used as firewood.
Bordi (Zizyphus mauritiano)
The plant grows naturally and found
in and around the field. The average dis-
tance from plant to plant is found to be
20 to 40 ft. The plant is harvested during
November-December.
The usages of plant included protec-
tion of the fieid, fruits for human con-
sump'tion, fodder for animal, wood for
timber and fuel pruposes and it checks
wind and soil erosion. The straight bran-
ches of the Bardi are used in cots. The
average production of fodder from each
plant is said to be 7 to 8 kg. The rate of
fodder in the area is Rs. 40/- per quintal.
Most of the farmers feed it to the animals
on the spot. The leaves form a plaster in
strongury. In decoction the root is used in
fever and as powder applied to old wounds
and ulcers. The bark is considered as a
remedy in diarrhoea. The fruits are mucil-
 ginous, pectoral, styplic and considered to of colouring the leather js carried out
purify blood and improve digestion. The first by removing its bark. Then this bark
average production of fruit plant is about is allowed to dry. The Only dried bark
4-5 kg and llsed for domestic purposes. of the plant is useful. Its. colQur is red.
The ave.rage production of fuel per plant The wood is used as firewood. Each plant
is about 5 to 7 kg. Each Bordi gives about provides about 200 to 250 gms. of bark.
3 dheeras (bundles of thorns), each dheera The rate of this bark is Rs. 20/- per
weighs about 2 to 3 kg. The cost of dheeras quintal. The plant is first cutdown and
is Rs. 20/- per quintal. It then beaten by the members of Regar
and Meghwal caste. The panchayat use to
Aroonj ( Acacia leucopholea )
arrange aut ion of the A IVai and con-
A few plants of Aroonj is fvund in. tractors .give the bids. These can tractors
this area. It is naturally grown and found
then engage the labour to beat the bark
in and around the field. The distance from
and take away for further processing.
plant to plant is about 500 to 700 ft. The
plant is pruned is the month of March. ( Dhaman (CeJ/chrus Cilioris) and Karad
Its thornes are used for fencing, and fod- Dichanthium annulatum )
der for animals. Each tree gives about 5 These palatable- grasses are available
kg fodder. The fodder of this tree is given in and arouud the fields .. The distance
to the animals in green stage. The land from plant to plant is very near in the
owner gives their trees on contract basis fields. The plant isharvevted in the month
to livestock owners @ Rs. 2/- per tree. of May-Jun~ i.e. before cultivating season.
However, it is less relished when other The plant population has i_ncreased in last
type of fodder is available. thirty years.
The fodder of the grass is most pala-
Awal ( Cassia auriculata ) table and cattle, buffaloe. 'and sheep relish
One of the most available shrub . the grass of this plant very much. The
found in this zone is Awal. It is used for plant checks wind, water and soil erosiop.
colouring the leather and its wood is used Each plant produces about ~?O gms of '
for fuel purposes. No animals like this fodder.
plant to eat. The leaves are anthelmintic. Leaving' aside th~ above plants,
They are ,useful in diabetes and, urinary- there are R'olzida, Ja/ ( Salvadora oleo ides)
disorders. The seeds are useful in opth- Angreji Bawalia ( Pro sop is jUliflora) Hin-
almia and conjunctivitis, in diabetes gota, Aak and Ker plants available in the
and chylous urine. The roots are useful zone. ~er. is not collected 'by the farmers
in skin diseases. The bark is astringent except Meenos. ( a tribe) who collect ker
and often used for tannin. The processing fruits and sale it.

26
 Bordering eastern AJmer Zone
The water table is high and irrigation
facilities are available in this zone. As we
proceed towards Ajmer region, the predo-
minance of Aroonj takes place for the
simple reason of this tree being suitable in
pediment soil types which is the main
characteristic of this area. Majority of
the farmers possess il rigated as well as
unirrigated land. The livestock consists
of cattle, buffaloe, camel, goat and sheep.
The main trees/shrubs/grasses found in this
zone are Bawalia, Khejri, Aroonj, Khara
Jal (Salvadora persica). Angreji Bawalia,
Rohida and Neem from among the trees,
Bardi, Ker and Aakda from among the
shrubs and Karad from among the grasses.
These :}re important component of
vegetation grown with crops like Bajra,
Mung and Moth. Brief detaiis of agroforc-
stry practices adopted by the farmers in
relation to different vegetation are provi-
ded below.
B~\Valia (Acacia ,ni!otica)
In this zone Bawalia is predominant
tree species. The plant is natural and
available in and around the fields. The
distance from tr.ee to tree is approxima-
tely 100 feet and the farmers remove the
plant if it germinates at a 'near distance.
The plant popularion has increased in
last thirty years. The tree is pruned in the
month of March-April.
The tree. provides shade for human
and livestock, its thor?s are used for pro-
'17
tection of .field, its leaves and pods are
fed to goat, sheep and camel, its wood is
used for timber and fuel purposes.
The prod uction of fodder from a
tree is :lpproximated to be 4 to 5 kg. The
sale value of the fodder from a tree is
50/- per quintal. The fodder is used for
domestic purpose. The fuel production
is 2 to 3 quintals per tree. From each tree
about 10 kg fencing material is procured.
Khejri (Prosopis cineraria)
The -plant is natural and avai.lable
lesser in quantity than Ball'alia in this
zone. It is available approximately at a
distance af 200 feet in the fieids. The
number of plants have increased in last
thirty years. The plant is pruned in the
month of October-November.
T):1e plan t is used for the shade of
animals, protection of the field, pods for
vegetable, fodder for animals, and wood
for timber and fuel purpmes.
The approximate production of
fodder per plant is 4 to 5 kg. The Loong
is used for domesric purposes. All the
farmers prun their Khejri trees and thus its
beans are not collected. The collection
of fuel per tree is appproximated about 2
quintal. Its branches are not used for
fencing purposes since thornes are gener-
ally. spoiled after one rain.
Aroonj (Acacia leucopholea)
The tree is natural and found in and
around the fields. At least 5 to 10 trees
 are available in every field. According to the crop. No animals relish this plant.
the farmers trees are increased ip last Its dry beans are eaten by goats. Its wood
thirty years. The trees are situated at a is used as fuel by the landless viilagers
long distance. The tree is pruned during belonging to lower castes.
the month of Jan.-Feb. Bardi (Zizyphus Illimmularia)
The tree is used for the shade of This plant is found in every field
animals, protection of the field and wood and all the farmers like it to grow in
for fuel purposes. Its beans are also cons- their field. The plant is available in the
umed by the goat, sheep and camel. But fields in patches. The farmers remove the
their are some Aroonj trees, of which V
plants distance from one patch to other
fodder is not been consumed. Farmers patch is very near. Majority of the farm-
have knowledge about such trees since ers 'Opined that the num.bef of plants in
consumption of the fodder or pods of this zone is not changed in last thirty
these excluded trees resulting to the years. The plant is harvested during the
death of animals. The fodder of the tree month of October-Noyember.
is utilized by Raikas for their animals at The plant is said to be most useful
the spot. for fencing and fodder purposes. It checks
Jal (Salvadora Persica) wind, water and soil erosion., '
This tree is scattered at a distance From each plant, the production of
places in the zone. Mostly it is found fodder is approximated about 50 gms.
where land has more salinity. The plant The value of its fodder locally known as
is natural. Camel consumes its leaves Palo is approximated to be Rs. 75/- per
otherwise no other animal prefer to eat. quintal. The thorny twigs and branches
Is, wood is mostly consumed by the farm- are used for fencing purposes. .
ers for fuel purposes in Scarcity period or Karad (Dichanthium onnulatum)
consumed by those villagers who does not It is a perennial grass and found on
have any facility of firewood.
the boundaries in the field. The plant is
Angreji Bawalia (Prosopis jllliflora) natural and farmers remove the plant if
.It is a natural tree and increased it germinates at a near distance. The
abundantly in last twenty years. It is, , plants .are increased in last thirty years.
mostly fou'nd on the boundries of the. The grass is harvested in the month of
'field. The farmers remove this plant if October-November aftt:r harvesting of
it germinates in the field at a near distance the crop. The fodder of this grass is
since this plant affect most adversely to consumed by the cattle and the buffaloes.

28
 Jalore agro-forestry zone
Alongwith high water table, blackish
to saline water are in abundance and to
which is adopted the tree called Jal, the
fruits of which called Pi/oo are relished
very much. The top feed is used as camel
feed. The land is irrigated as well as
unirrigated. The cultivation through
Sewaj is also carried out in this area.
Wheat, Jeera and Raida (Brassica juncea)
are the principal crops of Rabi; Bajra,
Guar, Til, Mung, Moth and Jowar are the
principal crops of Kharif and wheat, Chana
(Cicer arietinum) and Raida are the princ-
ipal crops of sewaj. Many landless farmers
migrate to Gujarat for employment. The
livestock with the farmers inCluded cattle,
buffaloe, c~mel, sheep and goat. The main
trees/shrubs/grasses found in this zone
are Khejri, Angreji Bawalia, Jal, Bawalia
and Aroollj from among the trees, and
Ker, Aakda, Sinia, 'Kheep, Bui, Jharbel'i,
and Beepna from among the shrubs. These
were found to be important components
of vegetation grown with crops like' Bajra,
Mung, Moth, Guar and Til, in the region.
According to the farmers Angreji Bmvalia
and Des; Bawalia affect on the crop
adversely. These trees compete with crop
for moisture. Farmers do not feel that
plants provide manure. Birds sitting on
the trees damage the crop. Farmers
fields are situated at distant places and
thus they are not growing trees in the
fields. Many farmess have land in small
size due to sub-divisions. They do not
.29
have money and labour force to maintain
trees/shrubs. The climatic conditions are
also not favourable to grow the plants.
Moreover, trees mature very late and a
farmer can not wait for a long time.
However, there are no socio-cultural barrier
in planting trees with crop. The farmers
opined that irregular and small fields are
facing lot of problems after raising trees
and shrubs in tuming the tractor driven
implements, leaving unploughed land
around trees/shrubs etc. Adoption of
mechanical cultivation has also become a
problem since plants are not grown in an
orderly manner. The farmers are not
inter.ested to raise trees/shrubs because
marketing facilities are not available.
According to the farmers, trees are
already cut down due to internal and
external demands of foresty produce. Brief
details of agro-foresty practices adopted
by the farmers in relation to dffierent
vegetation are provided below.
Khejri (Prosopis cineraria)
The plant is natually grown. The
approximate distance from plant to plant
is 200 to 300 ft. Farmers opined that the
number of plants are decreased in last
thirty years. It was opined that previously
people were keeping fallow land and
thus there were more vegetation in fallow
land. Now the farmers have started
ploughing most of their land and they are
not keeping more trees. The pruning
 of Khajri is not practiced. in this region
and thus the production of Loong is not
there. It is not costumary to prun the
KlIejri. Only the livestock owners prun the
Khejri in the month of December for
grazing the goats on the spot.
The Khejri provides shade for
animals, its pod are used for making
vegetable and its wood is used for fuel.
According to the farmers each
Khejri tree gives about 10 kg pods but in
general, pods are not been collected.
Angreji Bawalia (Prosopis juliflora)
The plant is natural 'and abundant
1ll and around the fields. It is said that
before thirty years this plant was not
available anywhere but increased abund-
ently in recent years. The plant product~
are generally not collected by the farmers
except its pods fed to the goats. The plant
provides shade, fencing material, pods and
fuelwood.
. etc .
Jal (Salvadara aleaides)
The plant is naturally grown. The
distance from plan(to plant is about 75 to
150 ft. The number of plants were abun-
dent before thirty years because during
past, where fallow land was more the
number of these plant were also more.
'Since the cultivation on the land has
increased, the Jal has decreased. The plant
is not pruned by the farmers.
The usages of J al included shade to
the animals, its fruits locally called Pi/oo,
is fed to animals and wood for fuel purpo-
ses. It is said that the Pi/oo of this plant is'
fed to milking' cows. First, these are dried
in the month of April-May. Then Pilao are
30
fed to the animals after miXing it with the
concentrate which increases the ghee
and milk production. The dried Pi/ao are
locally called Kokadi. The leaves are used
as purgative apd as a cure for cough. The
root bark is vesicant. The fruits are apho-
rodisiac and sweet'in taste. Oil from seeds
is useful for application in rheumatism
and affections after child birth. The seeds
contain a fally an ethereal oil.
Bawalia (Acacia nilatica)
The area has many trees of Bawalia
in the farmers field. The tree is naturally
grown. The distance from tree to tree in
the field is about 400 to 500 ft. The
number of these trees were lesser before
thirty years. These days farm~r do not cut
this tree.
The plant provides shade, fencing
material, pods and fodder for animal,
wood for timber and branches for fuel.
The timber is used in making the doors
Aroonj (A cada leucopllOlea)
Some of these trees are available in
the fields of this region. The tree is natu-
rally grown and the distance from plant to
pinat is 1000 to 1500 ft. The number of
plant are neither increased or decreased in
last thirty years. The plal1t is not pruned.
Only the livestock owners use to prun
the Aroonj tree during the month of
April-May. The plant provides shade ..
Bordi (Zizyphus nummularia)
The plant population in the field is
high and the ~istance from plant to plant
is 5 to 10Jt. The distance from a bunch
of plants to another bunch of plants is
about 10 to IS ft. The farmers opined that

we remove the plant if it germinates at a
near distance. The number of plant~ are
decreased in: last thirt~ years. The reasons
mentioned for this are low rainfall and
ploughing through tractor. The plant is
harvested in the month of November-
December. The plant provides fencing
material, fruits and fodder for animals. It
checks, wind, water and soil erosion.
Each plant provides about 100 gm
fodder. The rate of 5 kg fodder costs
Rs. 5/-. Most of the farmers consume the
fodder for their domestic animals.
Ker (Capparis decidua)
The plant is naturally grown and
mostly available on the field boundaries.
The farmers do not like to keep this plant
in the neld. The approximate distance
from plant to plant in and around the
field is about 200 to 300 ft. If it germina-
tes at a near distance farmel;s remove it.
The num~er of Ker plants are decreased
in last thirty ye~lfs. The Ker fruits are
collected in the month of April-May.
The plant provides fruits which is
used for making vegetable, goat and camel
use it as fodder and its wood is used as
fuel.
Aakda ,Calotropis pro cera)
Aakda is mostly available in the
sandy lands. The plant is naturally grown
and the distance from plant to plant in
the sandy. fields is 25 to 100 ft. Farmers
opined that the number of plants are
decreased in last thirty years. The harvest-
ing is done twice in a year i.e. in Decem-
ber and June, but it is also harvested as
and when req'elired for fuel purposes. The
harvesting done in the month of Decem ber
31
,
is for c,ollection of wood and for making
the roof of the hutments.
The goat and camel consume its
fodder and its branches are used for fuel
purposes.
Sillia (Crotr;lIaria burhia)
Th_e plant is found abundantly in
the fields. The distance from plant to plant
is about 3 to 5 ft. The plant is harvested
twice in the year i.e. before cultivating
season and during the winter for making
the roof of housing. The number of Sillia
plants are neither increased nor decresed
in last thirty years.
The Sinia is consumed by the goats
and camels. The farmers opined that Sinia
is a good soil conservating plant. The soil
which accumulated due to wind is depo-
sited under this plant resulting to a good
crop. It checks wind, water and soil
erosion. It is also a good fuel providing
plant.
Kheemp (Leptadenia pyrotec/ulica)
The plant is naturally grown and
the distance from plant to plant is 300 ft.
in the fields. The farmers remove the
plant if it germinates at a near distance.
The plant is harvasted while clearing the
field with other plants during the month
of May-June. The plant is consumed by
the goat.
Bui (Aerva pseud%mentosa)
The plant is naturally grown and
the distance from plant to plant in the
fieldis about 5 to 10 ft. The farmers
remove all the plants at the time of Sood
(i.e. cleaning of field for cultivations).
The plant is used only for fuel purpose.
 Cyprus species & D. bippinate
These grasses are available in this
area in a lot of q uan tity. Locally these are
called Chi and Dab. Farmers generally
prepare the rope from these grasses. They
keep the Dab in water and after tha t they
.
, 32
prepare rope for preparing cots. This
work is being done in the winter season.
Similarly, they prepare rope from chi grass
after drying it. This grass is also available
in this area in a lot of quantity.
 Sirohi and Sojat agro-forestry zone
Water table in this zone is moderate.
Irrigation facilities are available and
Bawalia alongwith Ja! and Khejri. Aroonj
and Neem form the predominant tree
co'!er in the crop field. The farmers opined
that there is ample production of Angreji
BawLliiya and thus there is no problem of
firewood. Most of the farmers use the
firewood of Angreji Bawalia which they
purchase from the people belonging to
scheduled caste and scheduled tribe at the
rate of Rs. 5(- per head load. Sim,ilarly,
due to huge availability of fodder, no
farmer use the fodder from trees for live-
stock feeding. Majority of the farmers have
irrigated land. Wheat and Kapas (cottan)
are the principa~ crops of Rabi and Bajra,
. 7'ii, MTJong, Chavala and Guar are the
principal crops of Kharjf. The main trees-
shrubs/grasses found in this zone are
Bawalia, Meethi Ja/, Khejri, Aroonj, Neem
and Angreji Bawalia from among the
trees and Bordi, Ker, AlVal, Aak, Kheemp
and Sinia from among the sJ.uubs. These
are found to be important components
of vegetation grown with crops. Brief
details of agroforestry practices adopted
by the farmers in relation to different
vegetations are provided below:-
Bawalia (Acacia nilotica)
It is a dominant plant of this
region. The plant is natural and situated
~t about 100 ft. distance in the field. It
IS even mor ' the boundary. In
e nearer on
33
the field, if it germinates at a near dista-
nce, the farmers remove it. The farmers
opined that Bawalia has decreased in
last thirty years in the field but, however,
it has increased on the boundary. Accor-
ding to the farmers, the reasons for the
increase of Bawalia tree on the boundaries
as it protects the field from stray animals
and its wood is used for fuel purposes.
The plant is pruned in the month of Jan-
Feb: It is again pruned during the rainy
season.
The tree is most useful for shade
and fencing purposes, its pods are eaten
by goat, sheep and camel in green stage
on the spot, its timber is used for making
plough, doors, and the tools of agricult-
ure, it checks wind erosin when it is
raised on the bouudaries of the field and
its unwanted branches are used as fuel.
Each plant produces about sixty kg fenc-
ing material. The sale value of the
material is Rs. 30/- per cartload.
Meelhi-jai (Salvadora oleoides)
The plant is available abundantly in
this region and its fiowers are used as
livestock feed. Although a few plants are
available in the field, many plants are
there on the boundaries. The plant is
natural and distance from plant to plant
is nearer on the boundary. The farmers
remove the plant if it grows at a near dis-
tance in the field. The number of plants
has decreased in the field but increased on
 the boundary. Its flowers locally called
Pi/oo is collected in the month of April-
May and fed to the cattle and buffaloe
for increasing ghee production.
The tree is shady. Its flowers locally
called Pi/oo is fed to cattle, bullocks with
concentrates. The average production
of Piloo from one plant is approximated
to be 5 kg. The sale value of Pi/oo is Re.
1/- per kg. The farmers use one kg. Pi/oo
with conce'tltrates in a day. The wood of
small trees is used for making hutments.
According to the farmers, it checks wind,
water and soil erosion when situated on
the boundary. The leaves provide manure
and its wood is used for fuel purposes.
Ar.oonj (A cacia leucopholea)
This tree is found in and around
the fields. The farmers remove the plant
from the field if it germtnates at near
distance. The number of plants have
decreased in the field in last thirty years
but the numbers are increased on the
boundaries. The plant is pruned during
the month of January-February.
The tree provides shades, fencing
material and fuel to the farmer. The
pods of -the tree are fed to goat and
sheep by Raikas_ (a livestock rear!ng caste).
It is said that Raikas feed the pods to
their animals after making it eatable by
Mantras. Without Mantras' transmIssIon
jf pods are fed to animals, the animals
will die.
Khejri (Prosopis cineraria)
It is a plant available allover the
western Rajasthan, but in this region
the number of plants are lesser than
34
Acacia nilolica. The plant is aVllilable in
and around the field and the tree is natur-
ally grown. The farmers remove the plant
jf it grows at a near distance. The number
.of trees are decreased in last thirty years
in the field but it. has increased on the
boundary. The cause for illcreasing
number of plants on the boundary is this
that it protects the field and its wood is
used for fuel purposes.
The tree provides shade to the
an.imal as well as human beings. Its
branches and twigs are not used for fenc-
ing purpuses. The pods of the trees are
generally not been collecJed in this region.
A small quantity of pods are collected by
the farmers for vegetable purposes. A
tribal community known as Bhee1, genera-
lly collect the pods during the month of
. April-May and sale it in the village at the
rate of Rs. 2/- per kg. The farmers infor-
med that from a tree about 5 kg. pods
can be collected. Its fodder locally known
as Loong is not been collected in this
region. Only Raikas prun branches and
feed to their goat, sheep and camel. Its
wood is said to be most sacred and used
in marriage haven (sacredfire), funeral
etc.
Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Neem is found everywhere in this
zone. The tree is natural and available in
and around the fields. The farmers
remove the plant if it germinates at a
near distance. The number of trees are
increased on the boundry.
The plan! provides shade, timber
and firewood. Its fruits locally known as
Nimboli is "collected by the poverty
 strike ned villagers and sold. Its wood is
said to be good for timber.
Allgreji Bawalia (Prosopis juliJlora)
The plant is natural and increased
abundantly in last thirty years. It is mostly
available on the boundries of the field
and used as firewood by the villagers.
The plant is harmful for the crop and no
farmers like this plant in the field.
However, its importance as firewood is
increasing day by day.
Awal (Cassia auriculata)
This plant is available abundantly in
this area. The plant is natural. The farm-
ers remove the plant if it germinates at a
near distance at the time of cleaning the
field during the m~:>nth of May-June. The
number of plants has neither increased
nor decreased in last thirty years.
The bark of the pJant is used by
the Jat~vas (a caste cleaning the skins of
dead animals~. The Jatiyas beat the
wood~ of awol and remove its cllal
. (bark). The cost of bark is Re. 1/- per kg.
The wood is collected by them free of
.. charge. The bark is used for cleaning
and .colouring the skins of dead animals.
For processing, about 1 kg milk content
of Aakrp is used for cleaning the skin of
a camel. The milky content of Aakra is
. collected by removing its leaves and
~roPPing ~ilk content is collected. About
. /4 kg. mtlky content i.s collected by one
man day. This coloured skin is disposed
by the Jatiyas @ Rs. 17/- to 20/- per kg.
35
The raw skin is removed from the body
of animal by Bhangi (sweeper) and a
sweeper is paid Rs. 2(- to 5(- by the ~wner
of the animal. The Jatiyas purchase the
skin at the rate of Rs. 100/- per quintal
which is collocted from 15 to 20 animals.
The Jatiyas keep the skin and milk of
Aakra in a clay-Pot (locally called Mitti-
ka-bartan) for 10 days. By this processing
the hairs of skin will be cleaned. Then, the
Jatiyas use to keep the skin in salty water
with 2.5 to 3 kg bark of Awal (Cassia
auriculata) for 10 to 15 days. The skin is
dried by clinging it for 10 to 15 days.
Aakda (Calotropis pro cera)
The number of Aakda (Colo/ropis
procera) plant in this region are innumera-
ble. The plant is natural. The number
of plants have neither increased nor
decreased in last thirty years. Its milky
conrent is extracted by a particular caste
called Bhambi who use it for pasting the
leathers hoes.
Bordi (Ztzyphus lIummu!aria)
The plant, although available in
every field, is not utilized by the villagers
for any purposeful meaning in this zone.
It is harvested during the month of May-
June, at the time of cleaning the field.
The number of plants in the fields have
neither increased nor decreased in last
thirty years. The Pala is not collected' in
this area because fodder of Jowar is
available.
 Concluding Remarks
Awareness of the traditional agro-
forestry practices reveal the importance
of developing greater knowledge on the
past and present activities of the dwellers
pertaining to agro-forestry. This provides
leads for developing new knowledge which
could consequen tty bring about improve-
ments in the package of traditional
practices and provide suggestions for
36
,
effective adjustments according to the
changed and changing situational factors.
Developing or improving upon the tradi-
tional trees, shrubs and grasses grown in
combination with crops and a search for
alternatives assumes further significance,
specifically in the change in the system to
agricu ltural operations.
e
...
-
 ,Acknowledgments
The authors record with a great pleasure their gratitude an_d grateful thanks to
Dr. K.A. Shankaranarayan, Director, Central Arid Zone 1{eseasch Institute for his
constant guidance in conducting studies on traditional agro-forestry practices and pro-
viding encouragement in preparations of this bulletin. Grateful thanks are also due
to Shri S.K. Saxena, S-3 (Economic Botany) CAZRI., Jodhpur for providing help in
delineating eight agro-forestry zones and for his valuable suggestions in the study.
The help provided by Dr. P.K. Ghosh, S-4 (Animal Physiology) for critically going
through the bulletin is also acknowledged.

37
 References

King, K.F.O. and Chandler, M.T. 1978. He wasted lands. ICRAF, Nairobi.
Malhotra, S.P. [977. Traditional perceptabilities of environment and desertification-
A case study. Economic Geography, Clark University, Masschusett.
Malhotra, S.P. and Trivedi, H.S. 1985. Socio-economic f,~ctors associated with the use
of wood in an arid di~irict of western Rajasthan. Indian For. 111(2): 110-118.
Mann, H.S., Malotra, S. P. and Shankarnarayan, K.A. 1977. Land and resources
utillization in the arid zone. Desertification and its Control.
Shankaranarayan, K.A. et. al. (Eds.) 198-1. Agro-forestry in arid and Semi-arid zones.
Proc. ICA R Summer Institute on Agroforestry in July 1981. CAZRI publicat iun
No. 24. 1-295.

38
 . Publications
CAZRI

No. Desert .Ecosystcrn and its Im- Edited by H.S. Mann

provement, pp. 1-387 (1974).
No. 2 Proceedings of Summer Institute Edited by Ishwar Prakash
on Rodentology (Mimeo), pp.
1-365 (1975).
No. 3 Solar Energy Utilization Re- by H.P. Garg
sear~ (Mimeo.), pp. 1-48 (1975).
No. 4 Rodent Pest Management- by Ishwar Prakash
Principles and Practices, pp. 1-
28 (1976).
No. 5 White Grubs and their Manage- by S.K. Pal
ment, pp. 1-30 (1977).
No. 6 The Amazing Life in the Indian by Ishwar Prakash
Oesert, pp. 1-18 (1977).
No. 7~Geomorphological Investiga- by Surendra Singh
tions of the Rajasthan desert,
. pp. 1-44 (1977).
" of Summer Institute
proceedings Edited by K. A. Shankarnarayan
on "Resource Inventory and
Ianduse planning", pp. 1-373
( (1977).
iNo. 9 Land Use Classification System by Amal Kumar Sen
. il) Indian Arid Zone, pp. 1-43
(1978).
No. 10. Ec'ology of the Indian desert by Ishwar Prakash
gerbil, Meriones hurrianae, pp.
1-88 (1981).
No. 11 Khejri (f'rosopis cineraria) in Edited by H.S. Mann and
the Indian desett - its role In S.K. Saxena
Agrofores'try, pp. 1-78 (1980).
No. 12 The goat in the desert environ- by P.K. Ghosh and M. S. Khan
ment, pp. 1-26 (1980).
No. 13 Bordi (Zizyphus llllmmuiaria)- Edited by B.S. Mann and
A shrub of the Indian Arid Zone S.K. Saxena
-its role in silvipasture, pp. 1-93
(\981).

39