Introduction - Afforestation, Reforestation and Forest Restoration in Arid and Semi-arid Tropics - page 2

Chapter 1
Introduction

Abstract Afforestation and reforestation are important activities for restoration of
terrestrial ecosystem productivity in arid and semiarid areas. Overuse of forests and
other vegetation has resulted in large areas of barren land and depletion of soil cover,
risking permanent loss of the productive capacity of the land. Loss of productiv-
ity of land resources creates a vicious circle of poverty and accelerated resource
overuse as human and livestock populations continue to grow. While the imperative
of afforestation and reforestation in these areas is beyond question, the actual work
of afforestation and reforestation faces many challenges. Whether the objective is
protection of watersheds or production of fuelwood and fodder for the local communi-
ties, the physical constraints of an arid environment coupled with the complex issues
of land tenure and resource ownership make afforestation programmes a challenge
that can only be overcome with utmost consideration and planning. Deployment of
appropriate technology, institutional arrangements, and enabling conditions for par-
ticipation by local communities are the sine qua non of successful afforestation and
reforestation programmes in arid and semiarid tropics.

1.1 The Imperative of Afforestation and Reforestation

Deforestation and the consequent degradation of land resources, impoverishment of
watersheds and disruption of ecological balance has had a serious adverse impact
on the lives of rural people the world over, particularly in arid and semiarid tropics.
It is estimated that forests are being either cleared or degraded at the rate of 12
million hectares annually. As a result, there are billions of hectares of wastelands,
a predominant proportion lying in the arid and semiarid tropics. Most of the rural
populations in arid and semiarid degraded tropical ecosystems live at subsistence
level. Agricultural productivity being poor, these communities largely depend on the
commons for herding their livestock, and for meeting their fuelwood requirements.
In several tropical countries, destruction of forests has completely disrupted the
ecological balance with severe adverse effects on the environment, jeopardising the
productivity of the ecosystems. This has caused repeated and prolonged famines and
consequently, hundreds of millions of people have suffered.
The phenomenon of destruction of forests and the consequent land degradation
has been a historical process.

In areas with heavy dependence of people on