Journal Article

Unveiling the Richness and Socio-Cultural Importance of Homestead Agroforestry in Sivasagar District of Assam, India

Bhuyan, Manash Jyoti, Das, Barasha Rani, Bhattacharya, Prasanta, Deka, Nityananda

2024

Overview

This study examines the intricate interplay between species diversity and socio-cultural importance (SCI) in the homestead agroforestry (HAF) systems of Sivasagar, a floodplain district nestled in the upper Brahmaputra Valley Agro-climatic region of Assam, India. Over the past decade, the district has witnessed notable ecological, cultural, and economic shifts propelled by modern  agricultural practices, market-driven economies, recurrent floods, and industrial and infrastructural  activities. Thus, the study endeavors to unravel the main drivers of these changes and their impacts on species diversity and socio-cultural values of the homestead agroforestry, offering insights into the implications for the region’s rural ecology and culture. To achieve its aims, the research employs a range of methodologies, including in-depth field observations, household surveys, oral interviews, participatory rural appraisal, rapid rural appraisal, and focus group discussions to evaluate plant species diversity and their Socio-Cultural Importance (SCI) within HAF systems. The findings indicate a decline in indigenous plant species due to the transition from traditional to market-oriented agriculture, significantly affecting the socio-cultural fabric of the communities. This includes the displacement of traditional practices with market-based alternatives, erosion of traditional knowledge, and a threat to the region’s ecological and cultural integrity. These findings underscore the need for a balanced approach that honors traditions and ecological heritage while addressing challenges arising from modernization and external influences. Thus, this research serves as a crucial foundation for informed decision-making, providing insights to safeguard the unique ecology and culture of rural areas in the Brahmaputra Valley, with a specific focus on the Sivasagar district in Assam, India. It also directs efforts towards forging sustainable solutions to ensure the future well-being of these rural communities, offering valuable lessons for similar regions grappling with ecological and cultural transformations.

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Agricultural Economics / Agricultural practices / Agriculture / Agroforestry / Biodiversity / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Climate change / Cultural values / Culture / Data collection / Decision making / Ecology / Environmental Economics / Environmental Management / fabrics / Floodplains / Flowers & plants / focus groups / Food security / Forestry / Forestry Management / Households / India / indigenous knowledge / Indigenous plants / Indigenous species / Land use / Life Sciences / Modernization / Multiculturalism & pluralism / nonindustrial private forests / Original Research / Plant diversity / Plant species / Population decline / rapid rural appraisal / Rural areas / Rural communities / species / Species diversity / Sustainable development / Traditions