Values and Services of Nitrogen-Fixing Alder Based Cardamom Agroforestry Systems in the Eastern Himalayas - Smallholder Tree Growing for Rural Development and Environmental Services - page 388

demands and natural resource use are interactive (Rai and Sharma 1998; Sharma
et al. 1998b). Increasing stresses on the use of natural resources have an impact at
the watershed level which can also result in a cumulative impact at a regional level.
Carbon is an important indicator when studying the mechanisms of change in
watershed functioning. Therefore, cardamom agroforestry is becoming an impor-
tant land management practice which is related to economic activity. Its role in
climate change could be assessed using carbon as an indicator.
The land-use change over 13 years (1988-2001) in the Mamlay watershed resulted
in a net release of 305 × 10 3 t of carbon into the atmosphere (Rai and Sharma 2004).
The reduction of forest biomass contributed to 119 × 10 3 t of carbon being released
by vegetation and 186 × 10 3 t being released by soil, amounting to a release of about
8 t of carbon from a hectare of land every year in the watershed. The stock of carbon
in vegetation and soils in the watershed amounted to 577 × 10 3 t in 2001 (Table 18.4).
A comparison of cardamom agroforestry with mandarin and open cropped areas
revealed that carbon stocks per unit were five times greater in the cardamom agrofor-
estry system. This system provides an opportunity to sequester substantial amounts
of atmospheric carbon and mitigate greenhouse gases. Soil carbon sequestration, as a
means of mitigating climate change, was reported by Lal (2004) to be substantial, and
the carbon sequestration in the soils of cardamom systems was likewise substantial.

18.3.7 Aesthetic Values

Sikkim in the Eastern Himalayas has established itself as a recommended destina-
tion for contemporary tourists in recent years (Rai and Sundriyal 1997). The scenic
beauty, rich biodiversity, friendly people and rich culture attract two million tourists
every year from all over the world. The mixed ethnic groups (Lepcha, Bhutia and
Nepali) who reside in the area have extensive traditional knowledge blended with
their culture and religion, which has lead them to be great nature lovers. Inspired
by the Sikkim Biodiversity and Ecotourism project (Sharma E et al. 2002), the state
is taking a leading role in diversifying and promoting ecotourism with 'Home
Stays' in remote areas as 'model villages'.

Table 18.4 Area under different land use and carbon storage in the Mamlay Watershed in Sikkim
(Rai and Sharma 2004)
Land use/cover

Area Carbon storage Area-weighted carbon

(ha) (t C ha −1 ) storage (×10 3 t C)

Temperate natural forest dense 160 191 107

Temperate natural forest open 982 86 304

Subtropical natural forest open 362 90 80

Cardamom agroforestry system 115 47 35

Mandarin agroforestry system 17 6 3

Open-cropped area temperate 413 9 19

Open-cropped area subtropical 506 8 29

Total of land use 2,555 - 577