With blue pine trees and weeds encroaching on rangelands and reducing their size due to global warming, works are underway to address the issue. The Department of Livestock is working with experts to research ways to restore the size of rangelands. Spread across 11 districts, rangelands occupy more than six per cent of Bhutan’s total land area.
Climate change is causing vegetation in the highlands to thicken with grazing lands invaded by shrubs and bushes. According to experts, this could lead to fodder shortage for highland livestock and animals, including endangered species in the long run.
Towchu Rabgay, Chief of Research and Extension Division under the Department of Livestock said “The size of rangelands are getting smaller. Due to global warming, trees that grow fast are invading places where there were no trees in the past.”
However, initiatives have been taken to alleviate the threats to rangelands. ANational Consultation Meeting for Managing Rangelands, involving almost 60 participants from relevant stakeholders, local government, and highland communities was conducted in Paro last year.
Currently, the Department of Livestock along with researchers are conducting studies through various methods to restore grazing lands and mitigate the effects on highland communities.
Towchu Rabgay said “To restore the actual size of the rangelands, we are researching on uprooting and burning shrubs that are not eaten by cattle in rainy season. We are also planning to cut down unwanted trees and weeds and let them dry and rot in the same place. There is a grass called baytsa grown in highlands. The grass is nutritious. We are also planning to research and supply seeds of the grass.”
For winters, herders have been told to cultivate oat grasses to substitute pasture.
Besides providing pasture for cattle and yaks, rangelands also provide a crucial part of the mountain ecosystem.
Located in the highlands and mountains, rangelands are home to diverse flora and fauna, medicinal herbs, and wild animals. Eco-tourism is also hosted in these areas.
“Rangelands provide carbon dioxide, oxygen, and grazing land. Moreover, water sources for hydroelectricity and agriculture all come from the rangelands. Medicinal herbs like Cordyceps and incense are also found there. These days, for eco-tourism, tourists also visit such areas,” said Towchu Rabgay, Chief of Research and Extension Division.
Meanwhile, a survey and mapping project of over 290,000 acres of rangeland have been conducted by the National Land Commission for more than 1,700 thram holders.
Rangelands used by highland communities were registered as freehold in the past but now the National Land Commission Secretariat is releasing land use certificates to herders.
Tashi Chezom
Edited by Kipchu
