Ifs (Retd ). Dipak Sarmah Livres

Agroforestry in Karnataka - A Golden Opportunity for Green Growth highlights various aspects of agroforestry - a system of introduction, or rather reintroduction, of trees in and around agricultural lands in order to restore the ancient, organic relationship that existed between forest and agriculture. The book traces the evolution of agroforestry in the state of Karnataka in India and recounts the strides that have been made in this direction in the recent years. It dwells upon the multifarious beneficial effects of agroforestry on forest conservation, soil and water conservation, and development of agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, animal husbandry, apiculture, etc. Although agroforestry is seen as a very pragmatic step to increase the forest or tree cover, its benefits go far beyond: it has the potential of transforming the entire rural/agrarian landscape in terms of economic, ecological and environmental development. It is also likely to be the most befitting response to the challenges posed by climate change. It is difficult to visualize a climate-smart agricultural system without trees having been accorded a complementary but important role in it. In the coming days, agroforestry may hold the key to an overarching development in the agricultural sector, more particularly in the vast and expanding parched regions, where signs of desertification, drought, poverty, hunger and death are becoming increasingly ominous.

The book Forests and Trees of Karnataka - A Journey in Time through Buchanan's Eyes attempts at providing a pen picture of the forests and trees of Karnataka as seen by Dr. Francis Buchanan during his journey undertaken in 1800 and 1801. As Buchanan's narrations contained in his three-volume journal 'A Journey from Madras through the Countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar (1807)' cover a wide range of subjects, his observations specifically on trees and other plants have been culled out with a view to visualizing the forest scenario of Karnataka more than 200 years ago. The book also highlights the important role trees were assigned in the distant past to complement agricultural operations and industrial activities leading to economic development and general welfare. Buchanan in his writings had underscored the ingenious ways through which the farmer, with the help of trees and other plants, conserved water, increased soil organic content and improved soil fertility. In fact there was an intrinsic relationship between water, agricultural crops, and the sylvan surrounding. Among the messages which Buchanan's writings convey, the most pertinent one for the present times is perhaps that of the ancient wisdom of the farmer that the surest way to keep the earth cool is to keep it green.