Journal of Environmental Biology

Contribution of provisioning ecosystem services of homestead trees to rural livelihoods in Kashmir Himalaya, India

M.A. Islam*, A.A. Wani, A.A. Gatoo, M. Shah, K.A. Sofi, G.M. Bhat, A.A. Parrey and T. Arjumand     

Division of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K, Ganderbal-191 201, India

Received: 08 April 2024                   Revised: 07 June 2024                   Accepted: 21 August 2024

*Corresponding Author Email : ajaztata@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4081-9120

Abstract

Aim: To quantify provisioning ecosystem services (PES) derived from homestead trees, estimate their economic value and contribution to rural livelihoods, and ascertain socio-economic determinants of household PES income from homestead trees in district Budgam of Kashmir.

Methodology: In this study 106 homesteads were selected across 12 sample villages using multi-stage random sampling. Data were gathered through structured interviews, focus group discussions, homestead inventories, non-participant observations, and rapid market assessments. The data were analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistics.

Results: The mean value of PES of homestead trees was ₹ 14349.27 per household per year, which was composed of fruits (45.54%), fuel wood (20.50%), tree browse (18.15%), timber (8.06%), and wicker (7.75%). PES of homestead trees constituted 4th important component of rural economy, accounting 16.23% of the average household's income. ANCOVA indicated that social membership, family size, family labour, farm size, livestock holding, main occupation, wealth status and annual income were potent predictors of household PES income from homestead trees. The R² (0.872) of the ANCOVA model indicated that socio-economic determinants accounted for 87.20% of the variation in homestead trees' domestic PES revenue.

Interpretation: Findings suggested that PES income from homestead trees is a vital intervention for socio-economic development, livelihood diversification, and forest conservation; hence, policy must be implicated towards a sustainable supply of PES from homestead trees by promoting homestead tree holdings.

Key words: Homestead trees, Kashmir Himalaya, Livelihood, Provisioning ecosystem services

Copyright © 2024 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).