Vol. 7, Issue 2 (2019)
Traditional methods of maintaining soil health in Poonch district of north-west Himalayas
Author(s): Sanjay-Swami
Abstract: Poonch is one of the hilly, tribal, remote and border districts of Jammu and Kashmir in the North-Western Himalayas. Mostly, farmers of the district are economically backward and uneducated belonging to Gujjar (who tend cattle and buffaloes) and Bakarwal (who rear sheep and goats) communities. These communities rear livestock along with arable agriculture. Livestock is the primary subsistent activity used to meet household food needs as well as supplement farm incomes. They are extremely rich in their indigenous knowledge and techniques and are playing significant role in maintaining soil health from ancient time. Addition of FYM, in-situ manuring, increasing soil faunal diversity, spraying of ash, keeping agricultural land fallow for one season, terrace cultivation, etc. are just a few of the hundreds of traditional eco-friendly soil health management practices performed by the farmers of Poonch district. The uniqueness of these practices is their suitability to the local conditions, their economic feasibility and easy implementation. As one practice compliments the other one, if they are applied in combination, they tend to be even more effective in protecting and maintaining soil health. However, few of these techniques require certain scientific modification/intervention to improve their efficiency.
Pages: 764-767 | 322 Views 36 Downloads
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How to cite this article:
Sanjay-Swami. Traditional methods of maintaining soil health in Poonch district of north-west Himalayas. Int J Chem Stud 2019;7(2):764-767.
