Traditional practices for sustainable livelihood in Kandi belt of Jammu

548-552Present investigation was carried out with the 90 informants selected from nine villages of the Kandi belt of Kathua, Samba and Udhampur districts of Jammu division with the objectives to identify the important tree species having traditional uses in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">kandi belt of Jammu region and document the traditional practices involving different tree species by the farmers of kandi belt of Jammu region in the sustainable development. Findings reveal that people of the kandi belt use <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Butea monosperma Lamk. Taub in Engl &amp; Prantl leaves for making <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">doona &amp; pattals; Saccharum munja Roxb. (Khar-sarut) for roofing of houses, cattle sheds, dry fodder storage structures, boundary fencing of sheds, thatching for off-season/forced vegetable cultivation, broom, ropes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">moodey and toys making. Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd ex Del., and Acacia modesta Wall &amp; Roxb for making planker (Patta/Suhaga),panjali (Jungla of plough), as fencing material and for making indigenous tool (locally known as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Sangi) used for fencing. Grewia optiva J.R. Drum. ex Burrett for making agricultural implements, handles of sickles, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">khurpi, kodal, making baskets and as fuel and fodder. Cassia fistula Linn; Brandis F. in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Adhatoda vasica Nees for mulching, fruits ripening, roofing of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">kaccha houses and cattle sheds,and checks soil erosion. Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees for shabri, bamboo chairs, bamboo mats, etc. making

Traditional knowledge on utility of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. in Doda district of Jammu province

518-520The communication deals with the traditional uses of deodar (Cedrus deodara) (Roxb.) Loud. tree used by local inhabitants of mythic hilly areas of tehsil Bhaderwah, district Doda of Jammu & Kashmir. Bhaderwah is very rich in ethnic as well as floristic diversity. The inhabitants of the area have inherited a rich traditional knowledge on the use of deodar tree. The traditional knowledge of local people on various uses of Deodar tree in their social, cultural and economic milieu has been enumerated

Traditional water conveyance modes, their management and use in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir

503-508<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-US">Water is a scarce resource that needs to be judiciously utilized for whatever purpose especially in agriculture sector. The present study focuses on traditional community managed water conveyance, management and conservation practices in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir which has been followed by the farming communities through locally devised traditionally inherited technology using local material with least use of external inputs. These traditional irrigation channels are locally known as kools which contributes in water as well as soil conservation with indigenously developed management practices. Famers in the region since time immemorial have been using this kool system for irrigation and as result of it; they are not only producing major cereals but also off season vegetables which is augmenting their productivity and income. The diversion of water through kools has also resulted in the decrease of turbulent flow of water in perennial nalla which results in the considerable reduction in the loss of top soil, thus contributing significantly to the soil conservation.</span

Traditional water mills (<em>Gharats</em>) -A source of rural livelihood in mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir

569-575The present exploratory study was conducted in Shivalik hills of Jammu region of J&K at an altitude of 4500-5000 ft height to document the traditional knowledge of the local people regarding traditional water mills locally called as “Gharats” used for grinding of different cereals and grains especially maize for their household consumption by using energy of flowing water. Among different cereal crops maize is predominately grown and is the staple food for the peasants of the area. Along with farming, these traditional water mills act as source of livelihood for the people of hilly areas. Water flowing in different perennial springs of these hills is utilized by the local people for operating their traditional water mills for grinding of maize & wheat. Elderly people of the village construct it by using locally available material. Wood of Quercus leucotrichophora locally known as “Banj”and Pinus roxburghii locally known as “Chir”, clay and stones are predominately used for construction of gharats. Locally available stone called “kupar” is used for making grinders locally known as “pan” and “talli”. Operators of gharat locally called as “Gharati” reported that they earn to the tune of 48000 to 52000/- annually from these gharats as charges for grinding maize and wheat grains and act as source of livelihood for farm households in addition to farming. Local inhabitants reported that these traditional water mills are cost effective source of grinding/milling of different grains, requires less maintenance and moreover are eco-friendly. Respondents also reported that flour obtained after grinding from these traditional water mills possesses longer keeping quality and more nutritious as compared to electric Attachaki. Erratic rainfall and snowfall due to climate change results in decreasing the water flow in perennial nallas which affects the continuous functioning of these traditional watermills

Traditional uses of under-utilized tree species in sub tropical rainfed areas of Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir

164-169Present investigation was carried out in three blocks; Hiranagar, Dinga Amb and Marheenof Kathuadistrict of Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir located in the sub-tropical zone to identify and document the under-utilized forest tree species and their multiple traditional uses. Study revealed that people in the study area make multiple traditional uses of eight tree species which are ordinarily considered under-utilized, viz. Aegle marmelos L., Carissa spinarum L.; Cordia dichotoma var. wallichii, Ficus palmata Forsk. syn . F. virgata, Ficus roxburghii Wall.; Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr; Terminalia belerica Gaertn. Roxb. These tree species have been reported to have different uses as food, fodder, fuel, fencing, medicinal and in ethno-veterinary. Stem, bark, leaves; roots as well as fruits have been reported to have important traditional uses. Diverse medicinal properties of these tree species to overcome different problems/diseases like sun stroke, dysentery, pneumonia, cough, chest complaints, sour throat, toothache, mouth ulcers, inflammations, healing, anemia, curing urinary problems, and leucoderma have also been reported. Foliage of some identified under-utilized trees is used as vegetable and fruits and roots for making pickle. These are also used for the treatment of intestinal disorders, anoestrus and as appetizer in cattle. Wood of many under-utilized tree species is preferred for making handles of implements, panjali used in animal driven ploughs and aarlia of animal driven plough. Frequent cutting of these trees has been matter of serious concern