Nepal's total rangelands are estimated to cover about 1.75 million hectares, or nearly 12 percent of Nepal’s total land area. The key sources of rangeland in Nepal come primarily from high mountains and high Himal areas which make up nearly 79.83% of Nepal's total rangeland.

Distribution of rangelands in Nepal (km2)

Source: Land Resource Mapping Project (1986)

Rangelands provide a variety of medicinal and aromatic plants from upper Himalayan region and supply forage or vegetation for grazing or browsing animals. Nepal's rangelands have high biodiversity as they range from subtropical savannas to temperate grasslands and alpine meadows, and a cold, arid steppe north of the Nepal Himalayas. Rangelands are integral part of mountain societies and they are managed as open access resources through indigenous practices which varies from place to place.

Rangelands in Different Climatic Regions of Nepal

Tropical rangelands are dominated by the grasses Phragmites karka, Saccharum spontaneum and Imperata cylindrica. Some also contain 2 m tall Cymbopogon jwarancusa and Bothriochloa intermedia. Because of man's activities, Imperata cylindrica is a dominant species throughout, and the weed Eupatorium is gradually replacing many of the palatable species.

Sub-tropical rangelands are mostly associated with Pinus roxburghii forests. They are heavily grazed and are infested with Eupatorium adenophorum (Banmara), Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern), Urtica parviflora (Stinging Nettle) and Artemisia vulgaris. These grasslands are termed the Themeda-Arundinella type. The main forage species are Arundinella bengalensis Druce, A. nepalensis, Bothriochloa intermedia, B. pertusa, Chrysopogon gryllus, Cynodon dactylon, Heteropogon contortus, Apluda mutica, Brachiaria decumbens, Imperata cylindrica and Eragrostis pilosa Beauv.

Temperate rangelands are associated with oak or mixed broad-leafed species such as Quercus or bluepine forests. These pasture lands are very important, but due to heavy grazing for many years, less palatable species such as Arundinella hookeri are found. In many areas, Andropogon tristis has been replaced with less palatable forage species such as Arundinella hookeri. The common forage species are Arundinella hookeri, Andropogon tristis, Poa spp., Chrysopogon gryllus, Dactylis glomerata, Stipa concinna, Festuca spp., Cymbopogon spp., Bothriochloa spp., Desmodium spp. and Agrostis micrantha.

Sub-alpine rangelands are associated with a variety of shrubs. The common genera are Berberis, Caragana, Hippophae, Juniperus, Lonicera, Potentilla, Rosa, and Spiraea and Rhododendron. In many areas, the shrub Pipthantus nepalensis has heavily invaded productive pasture lands once dominated by Danthonia spp.. The common naturally grown grasses are Elymus spp., Festuca spp., Stipa, Bromus himalaicus Stapf., Chrysopogon gryllus, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, and Koeleria cristata. Elymus nutans, a native species, is of great importance to pastoral systems at high elevations. Forbs of the genera Anaphalis and Potentilla have become more common as Danthonia is removed from the grassland.

Alpine rangelands are associated with Rhododendron shrubs. The main types of vegetation, based on the specification of areas, are Kobresia, Cortia depressa, and Carex / Agrostis / Poa associations. Common plant species are Kobresia spp. and Agrostis spp..

External Links:

• Improvement of Rangeland Production System in Nepal
• Pasture Resource in Nepal