@article {605, title = {Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) plantation - An age old agroforestry system in Eastern Himalayas}, journal = {Agroforestry Systems}, volume = {9}, year = {1989}, month = {December 1989}, pages = {241-257}, abstract = {Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is a shade loving plant grown in the Indian hill states of Sikkim and Dargeeling district of West Bengal. About 30 important tree species are used to provide shade to the cardamom plants. Alnus nepalensis, a deciduous, nitrogen fixing and fast growing tree, is the species most commonly underplanted with cardamom. In addition to providing shade, it is also used for fuelwood. The old trees are cut and young plants coming up are allowed to grow in cyclic order. The quick decomposing leaf litter of A. nepalensis also fertilises the cardamom plants. The nitrogen added to the soil in this way has been found to be as high as 249 kg/ha. Large cardamom thrives well in a moist soil, which is maintained by water diverted from seasonal springs on the upper slopes. The system is well suited to conserving soil, water and tree cover of the characteristically steep slopes of the region. Moreover, the management inputs required for growing cardamom are low but the crop gives a higher financial return than rice or maize. The shade trees used in the system are also a major source of fuel, fodder and timber, especially as access to state owned forests is restricted by legislation. However, increasing incidence of viral chirkey and foorkey disease, panicle rot and capsule borer are reducing the cardamom productivity. It has been observed that integrating dairying and apiculture will further augment profitability from large cardamom agroforestry system.}, keywords = {agroforestry systems, disease and pests, fodder, food flavouring agent, fuels, large cardamom, minor timber, nutrient, shade trees, Sikkim, water springs}, doi = {10.1007/BF00141087}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141087}, author = {K. A. Singh and R. N. Rai and Patiram Bhutia and D. T. Bhutia} } @book {319, title = {Environmentally sound small-scale energy projects: Guidelines for planning}, year = {1985}, month = {1985}, pages = {138}, publisher = {VITA Publications}, organization = {VITA Publications}, address = {Alexandria, VA}, abstract = {

This manual is the fourth volume in a series of publications that provide information for the planning of environmentally sound small-scale projects. Programs that aim to protect the renewable natural resources that supply most of the energy used in developing nations are suggested. Considerations are made for physical environmental factors as well as socioeconomic and cultural factors. Chapters focus on:

  1. uses and users (stating the purposes of this manual)
  2. ecology for sustainable energy development (discussing ecological concepts and processes)
  3. socioeconomic considerations of energy use (focusing attention on the role of women and the impact of social, cultural, and economic factors)
  4. energy planning for sustainable development (analyzing energy efficiency rations and suggesting energy output measuring techniques)
  5. Ulipur, Bangladesh: a case study (demonstrating how energy sources and uses are interrelated in a village setting)
  6. a process for planning energy projects (outlining planning procedures)
  7. energy sources and environmental considerations (including solar, wind, water, and biomass sources)
  8. matching energy sources with energy uses (considering household and agricultural applications)
  9. summary (identifying basic planning concepts). Appendices contain an energy conversion table, information on ecology and tropical climates, a 29-item bibliography, and sources of information.
}, keywords = {agroforestry, alternative energy sources, case studies, community development, community programs, conservation (environment), developing nations, ecological factors, energy, energy conservation, fuels, natural resources}, isbn = {0-86619-171-2}, url = {http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/13093454}, author = {Elizabeth Ann Bassan}, editor = {Timothy S. Wood} }