An ambitious soil conservation programme has concentrated on protecting
steep slopes by bunding and afforestation. This has made a substantial
impact on soil erosion but has not contributed much to increased agricultural
production. Large-scale afforestation is also unpopular with local people
because it reduces the area available for livestock grazing while forest
protection implies denying access for fuelwood collection. A balance between
12
the competing requirements of conservation and production is clearly needed
if popular support for soil conservation work is to continue without
inducements such as the Food-for-Work Programme