Potential of underutilized legume tree Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr. In Eco-restoration of Jhum fallows of Manipur

Abstract

Jhum cultivation is an ancient method of agriculture practice that is being followed in many parts of the Northeast Himalayan region. In recent times, for ensuring food security of the increased population, the Demand for more land under shifting cultivation has been increased. As the land resources are limited there was no other option than reducing fallow period of abandoned jhum plots to 1 to 3 years. The availability of this less stock up period doesn’t allow fallow Jhum land to restore properly, hence exacerbate the problems of land degradation and deforestation in the region. This worsening of Jhum land is a matter of grave concern in many parts of NE Himalayan region, especially in the valleys of Manipur. Thus introduction of multipurpose tree like Parkia timoriana along with native bacterial bio-inoculents could be Use as tool for enhancing growth of the plants, productivity of the land and eventually biodiversity status of the region.