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Grassland forage production and management in the Himalaya: a review
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 1995 |
| Authors | Sundriyal, R, C. |
| Journal Title | Journal of Hill Research |
| Volume | 8 |
| Pagination | 135-150 |
| Key Words | grassland management; grazing; cutting; fodder; silvopastoral; systems; forests; biomass production; grasslands; alpine; grasslands; mountain grasslands; management; reviews; plant; genetic resources |
| Abstract | In the Himalaya, grasslands form an important source of fodder and except for alpine pastures are maintained by various misuses of forests, i.e. by cutting, grazing or fire. Grasslands and forest grazing lands meet about 50-60% of total fodder need in the Himalaya, however, their composition and net primary productivity vary from area to area due to the variation in species dominance, topography, rainfall pattern, biotic pressure and successional status of grasses. Most of the grasslands are grazed throughout the year in western and central Himalaya, reducing herbage biomass by 30-50%. However, in protected areas forage is collected once every year at the end of the growing season. Intermittent grazing or cutting of grassland, though beneficial, are based on strict control and regulations, and considering the socio-economic status of the people in the villages, their participation in such management programmes is doubtful. It is suggested that simple protection of grasslands from grazing can significantly increase the herbage productivity to an optimum level. Winter fodder scarcity must be alleviated by growing more nutritive fodder species on rainfed farms/orchards. Ways to determine the animal numbers which can be maintained throughout the year by maximum use of herbage production are suggested. |
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