Doon University Study Warns Uttarakhand's Fragmented Agroforestry Could Shrink 60-70% by 2050
A Doon University study finds Uttarakhand's small, fragmented agroforestry areas could shrink 60-70 percent by 2050 due to climate change, with large zones also declining 10-20 percent.
Current Summary
According to a September 25 ETV Bharat report, a study by researchers from Doon University finds that Uttarakhand's small and fragmented agroforestry areas could shrink by 60-70 percent by 2050 due to climate change, while large agroforestry zones are projected to decrease by 10-20 percent. The study, titled 'Assessing spatial suitability and climate resilience of agroforestry systems in the Indian Himalaya of Uttarakhand using remote sensing and artificial neural networks', was published in the journal Discover Forests on September 18, 2026. It was authored by Deepak Kumar Mishra, Ujjwal Kumar and Kusum Arunachalam of Doon University, along with Ayyanadar Arunachalam of the ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi. The researchers used satellite imagery, GIS-based land suitability analysis, and artificial neural networks. Existing agroforestry systems in the state currently cover 1,331.66 sq km, with mid-altitude regions and rain-fed agriculture identified as the most vulnerable areas. Professor Kusum Arunachalam told ETV Bharat that agroforestry in Uttarakhand's hills is not merely an agricultural technique but a foundation for livelihoods and environmental protection.
What We Know
- Study by Doon University researchers published in Discover Forests on September 18, 2026
- Small, fragmented agroforestry areas could shrink 60-70 percent by 2050
- Large agroforestry zones projected to decline 10-20 percent
- Current agroforestry coverage in the state is 1,331.66 sq km
- Mid-altitude regions and rain-fed agriculture identified as most vulnerable
- Study used satellite imagery, GIS analysis and artificial neural networks
What Is Still Unclear
- What policy or mitigation measures, if any, are being planned in response to the findings
- Which specific districts face the highest risk
What Changed
- 25 Sept, 03:40 pmSignal detected: Doon University Study Warns Uttarakhand's Fragmented Agroforestry Could Shrink 60-70% by 2050