The North Western Himalayan frontier encompasses a rich flora and fauna biodiversity. It is considered as hub of numerous medicinal and aromatic plants which are of prime importance for the local peoples and industries. The Garhwal region of this frontier particularly consists of numerous agroforestry systems. Systems like agri-silviculture, silvi-pastoral, horti-silvi systems are prominently followed in this region. Temperate fruit crops like citrus, apple, peach and plum are major crops with forest crops. The crop productivity is reported to be higher in different agroforestry systems as soil nutrients get enriched at regular intervals in comparison to monoculture. The average land holding of farmers is though less (0.5 ha) but productivity is supplemented by other forest tree species in this region. The multipurpose tree species grown on boundaries not only enriches biodiversity but also enhances farmer’s income of the region. The recognition of various agroforestry systems in recent times have increased worldwide as it paves way for efficient land use planning and sustainability of food security.

Highlights

• To quantify various systems of agroforestry in Garhwal Himalayas.
• Socio-economic importance of Agroforestry systems.
• Role of agroforestry systems in mitigation of climate change.