These methods can help in sustainable pasture management

Scientific management of pastures can play a huge role in enhancing soil health and improving water quality. It is vital to manage pastures properly to lower the dangers of soil erosion, weakened grass cover and pathogen infestation.

This article explores some of the methods to protect pastures. The first and foremost step to protect pastures is demarcating them.

For this, pastures and their boundaries need to be identified. Local or village-level administration can provide information on this to the tehsil-level officer attached to the revenue department.

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The proposed or previously allotted land for pasture development should be identified. Such land should be demarcated in the presence of a pasture development committee with the help of revenue records like jamabandi and maps.

After demarcating the boundaries, a mud or cemented wall of stones can be constructed to prevent encroachments. Stone walls should be made only in those places where earthen ones are not feasible. Shrubs and thorny plants can also be used for making enclosures.

Reclaiming proposed pastures that have been partially or fully encroached upon is crucial. The cooperation of the local administration and the public is necessary to free such pastures from encroachments. For this, various provisions are listed in the law.

Forming a pasture land development committee at the local level is necessary for the development, protection and maintenance of pastures. The committee should comprise five-ten environmentally conscious individuals who are willing to take up various responsibilities.

At least 30 per cent of seats in the committee should be reserved for women. The ward member or a person selected unanimously should be the committee’s chairman. The committee should work closely with the village or town administration to protect the community rights of the people living there. 

Moreover, participatory efforts should be taken to protect pastures. The government and the villagers should jointly bear the responsibility for their conservation. A security guard can be appointed to monitor pastures. Afforestation efforts and penalising those indulging in deforestation can help conservation efforts.

Also read: Greener pastures: How Indian pastoralists are being aided to return to their traditional livelihood

The committee should meet at least three-four times every year. Every meeting should discuss the goals, further plans, obstacles in achieving current goals and the progress made after the previous meeting. Along with this, the focus should be laid on developing social forestry by connecting people with pastures.

Measures should also be taken to prevent farming on pastures. Individuals attempting farming in pastures can be treated as encroachments.

The pasture land reserved for grazing animals should not be used for any other purpose. Paths, roads, etc, should not be constructed in the middle of the pastures, and such land should not be used for waste dumping. Pasture land should not be given on lease to set up industries or other establishments.

There are many ways to generate income from pasture land. Such income should be spent only on the development of pastures. Cutting green wood from this grazing land should be strictly prohibited.

Moreover, campaigns should be launched to spread awareness on the importance of conserving pastures.

Sheds can be constructed in pastures for keeping stray animals or cattle of farmers who are unable to shelter them in their premises. Cattle sheds will ensure sufficient manure that can help restore pastures.

Fodder crops can be grown on pasture land with a slope of less than five per cent. Chari jowar, maize, bajra, dinanath grass, barseem, lucern, stylo grass, etc can be grown over such land. In this way, the villagers will get employment along with ensuring fodder for their animals.

Indigenous plants such as khejda, mahanim, drumstick, sahatut, etc, should be considered during afforestation.

Along with this, grass seeds should be selected for sowing grass according to the region. Stylo, cenchrus and dinanath grass can be used for developing water catchments.

Plants should be selected based on the area’s climate and the needs of the people. Fodder plants should be selected by considering the local plant species. The selected plant should be thick, strong and one foot high. Drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant species should be selected for arid regions.

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