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IGC 2015 - Abstracts - List of Reviewers
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Table of Contents - Author Index - List of Reviewers
Sustainable Use of Grassland Resources
for Forage Production, Biodiversity and
Environmental Protection
Extended Abstract
23 International Grassland Congress
November, 20 to 24, 2015, New Delhi, India
Editors
A. K. Roy
R. V. Kumar
S. K. Mahanta
M. M. Das
R. K. Agrawal
J. B. Singh
K. K. Dwivedi
G. Prabhu
N. K. Shah
Published by
Range Management Society of India
ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284003, India
Citation: Sustainable use of grassland resources for forage production, biodiversity and environmental protection: Extended Abstracts 23rd
International Grassland Congress, Editors: A K Roy, R V Kumar, R K Agrawal, S K Mahanta, J B Singh, M M Das, K KDwivedi, G. Prabhu, N. K.
Shah (2015) Published 2015. All rights reserved.
Nothing in this publication may be reproduced, stored in a computerized system or published in any form or in any manner,
including electronic, mechanical, reprographic or photographic, without prior permission from: The International
Grassland Congress Continuing Committee http://www.internationalgrasslands.org, Range Management Society of India,
Jhansi, India
The individual contribution in this publication and any liabilities arising from them remain the responsibility of the authors
The publisher is not responsible for possible damages that could be a result of content derived from this publication
rd
Improving a Transhumance Livestock System of India with Modern Technologies
Mounir Louhaichi, ICARDA, Amman, Jordan
Arun Kumar Misra, CAZRI, Jodhpur, India
Khem Chand, IGFRI, Jhansi, India
Mahesh Kumar Gaur, CAZRI, Jodhpur, India
Douglas E. Johnson, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
Keywords:
Grazing lands, DGPS collars, livestock migration, policy, livestock mobility
Introduction:
Traditional livestock rearing systems in grasslands evolved in response to social, climatic, vegetative and technological conditions that existed scores,
hundreds, or in some cases thousands of years ago. Many of these systems involve vertical transhumance where flocks and herds are moved up elevation
gradients for summer pasturage or horizontal transhumance in which livestock migrate across greater distances in response to regional rainfall patterns and
the resulting availability of forage. In spite of the relatively low earnings of individual herders, these pastoral systems can contribute substantially to the
national economies, while providing sustenance and food security to significant portions of the population. Additionally, traditional livestock rearing
often contributes a rich social culture in regions where it is practiced and many societies closely identify with traditional livestock herding lifestyles.
In many parts of the world herders still use traditional transhumance systems but they are coming under increased pressure from a number of forces both
within and external to these societies. Yet, many rural people living at or near the subsistence level still rely heavily on small flocks or herds that migrate
for their livelihoods. These traditional pastoral or agro pastoral systems and the people that use them have an opportunity to employ modern technologies
to change and improve with developing technologies.
We studied the Indian Raika (Dewasi/Rebari) horizontal transhumance system of sheep and cattle from their home villages in western Rajasthan to the
regions of Haryana and Delhi (Malhotra & Mann1982, Kavoori 2005). During this project we attempted to understand the constraints to production,
techniques that could increase animal health and family income of herders. One of the main goals of the project was to also identify programmatic
opportunities whereby information at the national or international level could be used to improve sustainability and efficiency of movement from one
grazing location to another.
Materials and Methods:
Our study was conducted in a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) context which integrates knowledge and opinions of rural people in rural
development/research projects (Bhandari, 2003). Four districts from western Rajasthan with significant numbers of migratory cattle or small ruminant
flocks were selected for the study. Within these four districts a stratified random sampling method was used to select households within district, tehsil, and
villages for participation and detailed survey. Data were gathered through key informant interviews (discussions with people who have specialized local
knowledge of migration strategies), personal interviews, and personal observations. Information was also collected from governmental departments
involved with migratory herders.
In addition, 2 cows and 2 sheep in 4 different large herds or flocks were fitted with GPS collars that recorded date, time, and position at 1 hour intervals
during the migration. We employed Clark Animal Tracking System (ATS) collars because they offered both long deployment lives (e.g., up to 1 year) at
intensive sampling rates (Clark et al., 2006). During the migrational transit, all animals in the herd were treated similarly. GPS information was overlaid
on world topographic maps (ESRI 2014a), as well as satellite images with a ground pixel resolution of 1m (ESRI 2014b). The government of India
(GOI) GIS data sources on roads, railroads, forest/natural reserves, and water points were also used when evaluating livestock migration routes. Such
information was helpful in understanding movements and trends.
Results and Discussion:
Examination of the track logs of sheep and cattle revealed daily movement of animals including where herds rested for the night and grazed during the
day. Because each point was tagged with the date and time, it was possible to determine when animals began to move in the morning and when they
bedded at night. Animals typically began moving around 8:00am and ended the day by 8:00pm in the evening. As was reported by Jodha (1986), crop
aftermath was a major source of forage and animals spent the bulk of their foraging time in farm fields (49% fallow fields and 29% crop lands) but natural
lands (19%) and lands associated with seasonal river channels (1%) were also used along the route.
When animal movement was overlaid on areas with restricted livestock grazing (those lands controlled by the Forestry Department), we found that the monitored herds
did not enter these areas (0% use). This is significant because the creation of reserves has reduced the land available for the migratory herds and flocks. The
creation of reserves is a response to increased sensitivities regarding environmental degradation (Osman et al. 2001, World Bank 1999). Reduced grazing
area has increased grazing pressure as there has also been encroachment from farming on traditional common grazing lands (Gochar and Oran). The
results show that the monitored herds complied with governmental regulations.
Herder’s daily routes typically paralleled highways or railways and the speed of transit across the land varied based on the availability of forage and
water. This landscape is mainly level and very dry. Herds typically traveled on average 8.8 km day-1 during migration, however the transit through areas
without available drinking water was rapid and direct. If water was available at these locations, herders could stay longer with additional forage and less
stress on both herders and livestock. Creation of water points that are optimally spaced to access forage sources in these areas, could benefit the herders.
As we interacted with herders we realized that although most were illiterate (≈90%), however many carried cell phones so they could communicate with
family members left behind in their home villages. Communication could be developed to help the migratory herders. For example, local officials apprise
herders of forage conditions and land owned by farmers willing to allow grazing. This could help guide flocks towards optimal routes. Market and
pricing information could also be made available. Herders also reported harassment and theft of animals along the migrational route. Cell phone
technology could be used to report and, if coupled with rapid response, hopefully reduce theft. Increased security for flocks would be welcomed by
herders. In a similar fashion, livestock health could be improved if veterinary advice via cell phone was available to migratory herders. It is likely that
application of veterinary interventions in a timely fashion could reduce morbidity and mortality of livestock. Multiple information systems have been
tailored to illiterate users.
Lastly, rangeland improvement projects, in areas where degradation has been most intense could have both environmental and productive benefits if
grazing is monitored and controlled. Herders specifically mentioned the increase in undesirable shrubs at the expense of palatable grasses as a trend that
was making their life more difficult. Restoration of natural vegetative communities on land currently classified as grasslands, scrublands, wastelands,
sandy areas, and gullied land. Natural vegetative communities make up approximately 20% of the land available on the migration route and could improve
the forage balance.
Conclusion:
The Raika herders of western India are maintaining a horizontal transhumance system in spite of reduced natural pasturage. Opportunities exist to assist
these herders by creating water catchments in areas with available forage along the migration route. Cell phone communication, coupled with local
officials knowledge of forage availability and crop stubble. In a similar fashion, veterinary advice and market prices could be made available via cell
phone. We encourage continued exploration of programs that improve the life of herders using Participatory Rural Appraisal.
References:
Bhandari, B.B. (2003). Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. Hayama, Kanagawa, Japan, 22 p.
Clark, P.E., Johnson, D.E., Kniep, M.A., Jermann, P., Huttash, B., Wood, A., Johnson, M., McGillivan, C., Titus, K. (2006). An advanced, low-cost,
GPS-based animal tracking system. Rangeland Ecol. Manage., 59: 334-340.
ESRI. (2014a). World Topographic Map. Accessed February 1, 2014. http://goto.arcgisonline.com/maps/World_Topo_Map.
ESRI. (2014b). World Imagery. Accessed February 1, 2014. http://goto.arcgisonline.com/maps/World_Imagery.
Jodha, N.S. (1986). Poor in dry region in India. Econ Polit. Weekly., 21(27):169-181.
Kavoori, P. S. (2005). Pastoralism in Expansion, The transhuming herders of western Rajasthan. Oxford University Press, 226p.
Louhaichi, M., Chand, K., Misra, A.K., Gaur, M.K., Ashutosh, S., Johnson, D.E., and Roy, M.M. (2014). Livestock mobility to cope with global climate
change in the state of Rajasthan. Journal for Arid Land Studies. 24(1):61-64.
Malhotra, P.S., Mann, H.S. (1982). Desertification and the organization of society. In Spooner B., Mann H.S. eds., Desertification and Development:
Dryland Ecology in Social Perspective. Academic Press, London pp. 305-310.
Osman, M., Mishra, P.K., Misra, A.K., Dixit, S., Ramachandran, K., Singh, H.P., Rama Rao, C.A., Korwar, G.R. (2001). Common Pool Resources in
Semi-arid India: A review of dynamics, management and livelihood contributions. CRIDA/CWS/AKRSP (I)/WRMLtd/MSU/NRI Report No. 2649, 102 p.
World Bank (1999). India Livestock Sector Review: Enhancing Growth and Development. The World Bank, Washington D.C and allied publishers, New
Delhi.
Acknowledgement:
The authors acknowledge the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI),
and Oregon State University for support and funding.
The authors are grateful to the pastoralists of Rajasthan and project staff for their active participation in the research program. The article is an outcome of
the ICAR-ICARDA Collaborative project.
