A bio-economy model with reforestation value chain framework needed for sustainability and perpetuity in rehabilitated sites in IHR region

Abstract This study investigated the current status of five sites where rehabilitation of degraded land were carried out. The interventions were executed in most scientific manner which took into account the socio-economic and behavioural pattern of stakeholders involved in rehabilitation. Basic social and ecological parameters were also considered to evaluate the sustainability of the rehabilitated sites. Out of the five rehabilitated sites analysed, four sites that were handed over to stakeholders were not sustainable anymore while the site that is still under the institute management has reached an ideal state. All stake holders were engaged during the rehabilitation process and vegetation was established successfully. However the stakeholders were not able to reap the economic benefit post establishment of the sites which led to discontent and degradation of the rehabilitated sites. To make the sites sustainable beyond the intervention period, a site specific bio-economy model needs to be created along with reforestation value chain frame work (RVC) aimed at augmenting livelihood opportunities and economic growth from the rehabilitated site, to attain perpetuity. It is also envisaged that a minimum threshold area for rehabilitation needs to be calculated based on various productive agri-environmental schemes as enabling policy mechanism for sustainable restoration.