Abstract
Shivalik foothills spread in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Uttaranchal have proximity to the plain areas, and are therefore subjected to excessive biotic pressure. Due to this and other reasons including climatic cum geological factors, the region is losing its productivity over the years. Traditional agriculture systems have failed to provide beyond the subsistence level to the inhabitants of the area. Alternative land use systems were, therefore, tried in a watershed management project, called Relmajra, situated in the Shivalik foothills of Punjab in district Nawan-Shahar. Economic appraisal of the land use systems with supplemental irrigation has established that whereas, poplar with intercrops as maize-wheat rotation, provides the highest annuity (Rs. 75,622) in relatively better lands. Aonla, Ber and Kinnow-Bhabar systems have yielded the annuity as Rs. 65,366, Rs. 32,356 and Rs. 31,502, respectively on inferior lands having multiple constraints.
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