Neem in Social Forestry
'Social forestry' means to grow forests in lands outside reserved forests. Planting of trees
along roadsides, canal banks and rail strips are some of the illustrations of social forestry
whose activities also include supply of tree saplings for community lands. Social forestry if
implemented in real terms can protect the environment and work as carbon dioxide sink. A
combination of trees in the over wood and bamboos in the understorey appears to be a very
viable method in Indian climatic conditions.
Neem tree has all the good characters,
which can be successfully tried in various
social forestry programmes. Since decades
neem has been found growing on the
roadsides and it is one of-the most common
avenue trees. Besides protecting the
environment it provides shade in the arid and
semi-arid areas. Leaf is an excellent source
of fodder especially for goats, and it can
withstand intensive lopping once it is well
established. The branches serve as a
source of fuel. The fruits are also edible by
goats besides various other uses. It needs
no emphasis in popularising planting of
neem trees alongside roads, canal banks
and railway lines. This can go a long way in
meeting deficit in fodder and fuel production.