The study found that despite having access to chemical fertilizers, soil fertility management for the
farmers is mainly based on the use of leaf litters as farmyard manure (FYM). Given the labour intensive nature of
FYM production, aggravated by labour shortages, farmers still preferred FYM over chemical fertilizers. Quercus
griffithii, Q. lanata and Pinus spp. were the main leaf litter tree species in the studied areas; Quercus spp. being the
most preferred by farmers. The complete removal of litters from the leaf litter forests as revealed by farmers will not
only have negative effects on nutrient cycling in the leaf litter forests but also render the exposed ground vulnerable
to erosion.