Types of Forestry: Social Forestry, Agro-Forestry, Miyawaki Method
Geography › Biogeography: Soils and Vegetation · Topic 7.11
Several types of forestry combine trees with people's needs. Social forestry is the management and planting of forests for the benefit of society, especially rural communities, including farm forestry, community forestry and extension forestry along roads, canals and railways. Agroforestry is the growing of trees together with crops or livestock on the same land. The Miyawaki method, developed by the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, is a way of growing a dense, multi-layered native forest in a small area by planting many native saplings very close together.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Geography · Biogeography: Soils and Vegetation
At a Glance
- Social forestry Forests for local communities
- Agroforestry Trees with crops or animals
- Miyawaki Dense native mini-forests
- Founder Akira Miyawaki, Japan
- India policy National Agroforestry Policy, 2014
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Geography: Biogeography: Soils and Vegetation
Where Does It Fit?
This topic completes the macro on soils and vegetation with the forestry approaches that work at the level of villages, farms and cities. It follows the topic on conservation strategies and prepares for the study of the forests of India in the next macro. Previous topic: Conservation Strategies: Reforestation, Monoculture Plantation, Afforestation. Next topic: Geographical Location of India and Its Geopolitical Importance.
What Is Social Forestry?
In short: social forestry means growing and managing trees by and for the people, to meet local needs for fuel, fodder and small timber and to reduce pressure on natural forests.
| Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Farm forestry | Farmers plant trees on their own land, on bunds and boundaries or in blocks | Eucalyptus and poplar in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh |
| Community forestry | Trees planted on community or village land such as village woodlots, grazing land and temple land, and managed by the community | Village woodlots under joint forest management |
| Extension forestry | Planting on the sides of roads, canals and railway lines, on bunds and in wasteland | Avenue trees |
| Urban forestry | Trees and green belts in and around cities | City parks, urban miniature forests |
The National Commission on Agriculture recommended social forestry in 1976, and it expanded in the 1980s, helped by World Bank support. Its aims are to meet rural demand for wood and fodder, lower pressure on forests, restore wasteland, raise rural incomes and provide jobs. Critics point out that in some cases farmers planted eucalyptus for sale, rather than species useful to the poor, and that the benefits went to richer farmers.
What Is Agroforestry?
| System | Combination | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Agrisilviculture | Trees with crops | Crops under scattered trees, tree rows between fields (alley cropping), shelterbelts |
| Silvopasture | Trees with pasture or livestock | Fodder trees and grazing under trees |
| Agrosilvopastoral | Trees, crops and animals | Multi-purpose homestead gardens |
| Taungya | Crops grown between young forest trees in the first years | Introduced to Burma and India in the 19th century |
| Homegardens | Layered mix of trees, shrubs and crops around a house | Keralam (Kerala) homesteads |
Agroforestry adds income from timber, fruit and fodder, improves soil and moisture, gives shade and shelter, and stores carbon, while keeping farming going. India was the first country to adopt a national agroforestry policy, in 2014, and the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (2016-17) supports planting of trees on farms. The concept ties to conservation strategies in Conservation Strategies: Reforestation, Monoculture Plantation, Afforestation.
What Is the Miyawaki Method?
- Origin: developed from the 1970s by Akira Miyawaki (1928-2021), a Japanese botanist who studied the natural vegetation of Japan and restored forests on industrial sites and coasts.
- Method: the soil is first enriched with organic matter. Then 2 to 4 saplings per square metre of many native species, in four layers (canopy, sub-canopy, shrub and ground), are planted close together and mulched. They are watered and weeded for the first two to three years, and after that the forest looks after itself.
- Claims: supporters say that such forests grow about ten times faster, are about thirty times denser and have about a hundred times the biodiversity of ordinary plantations, and can mature in 20 to 30 years instead of 200. These are claims to be treated with care.
- Use in India: mini-forests have been planted in Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and other cities, on small plots such as the edges of lakes, parks and factory grounds.
- Limits: they are small, need high initial effort and water, and the long-term survival and ecological value are still being studied. They are not a replacement for protecting natural forests.
As an analytical point, social forestry, agroforestry and Miyawaki forests are all ways of putting trees where people live and work, which complements the protection of large natural forests, as discussed in Deforestation: Tropical and Temperate Forest Loss.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Terms Types of forestry are asked
- Policy Agroforestry policy
- Current Urban Miyawaki forests
What Came Next?
The next macro describes the physical geography of India, beginning with its location and geopolitical importance. Next topic: Geographical Location of India and Its Geopolitical Importance.
Key People and Terms
- Social forestry Forestry for community benefit
- Agroforestry Trees with crops or livestock
- Taungya Crops between young forest trees
- Silvopasture Trees with grazing
- Miyawaki method Dense native planting
- Shelterbelt Row of trees against wind
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Social forestry was recommended in 1976.
- India’s agroforestry policy: 2014, a world first.
- Miyawaki: 2 to 4 saplings per sq m.
- Miyawaki was a Japanese botanist.
- Taungya grows crops among young forest trees.
Do Not Confuse With
- Social forestry and agroforestry Forests for community use versus trees mixed with farming
- Farm forestry and community forestry On private land versus on common land
- Miyawaki forest and plantation Many native species versus a single species
Memory Hook
Social for the village, agro for the field; Miyawaki packs the saplings tight, and the mini-forest yields.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about social forestry, agroforestry and urban forests. These points add depth.
- Aim Local needs and income
- Systems Four types of agroforestry
- Urban Miyawaki forests
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the role of social forestry and agroforestry in meeting rural needs, and assess the Miyawaki method for urban greening.”
How to Answer
- Define Types of forestry.
- Benefits Fuel, fodder, income.
- Policy National Agroforestry Policy.
- Miyawaki Method, claims and limits.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is social forestry?
Social forestry is the management and planting of trees by and for local communities, to meet their needs for fuel, fodder and small timber, and to reduce pressure on natural forests. It includes farm forestry, community forestry and extension forestry on roadsides, canal banks and railway lines. It was recommended in India in 1976.
What is agroforestry?
Agroforestry is a land use system in which trees are grown together with crops, pasture or livestock on the same land. Its forms include trees with crops, trees with grazing, and combined systems. It gives timber, fruit and fodder, improves soil and moisture, and in 2014 India became the first country with a national agroforestry policy.
What is the Miyawaki method?
The Miyawaki method is a technique developed by the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki for growing a dense native forest in a small space. Two to four saplings of many native species are planted per square metre in four layers on enriched soil, and the forest becomes self-sustaining in two to three years.
What is taungya?
Taungya is an agroforestry system in which farmers grow crops between rows of young forest trees during the first years after planting, and in return tend the trees. It originated in Burma and was used in India in the 19th century, and it helps establish plantations and gives farmers food.
How does farm forestry differ from community forestry?
In farm forestry, individual farmers plant trees on their own land, on bunds or in blocks, for timber, fuel and income. In community forestry, trees are planted on common or village land, such as village woodlots and grazing land, and managed by the community, with benefits shared among members.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Miyawaki method was developed by a Japanese botanist.
Akira Miyawaki.
2 Social forestry involves only government forest departments.
It involves farmers and communities.
3 India was the first country to adopt a national agroforestry policy.
It did so in 2014.
4 Taungya involves growing crops between young forest trees.
It combines farming and forestry.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Biogeography: Soils and Vegetation. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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