Climate change is causing vegetation in the highlands to thicken with shrubs and bushes invading grazing lands. This, experts say could lead to fodder crisis for highland livestock and animals, including endangered species in the long run. Highland communities are now calling for relevant stakeholders to streamline efforts in managing and sustaining such rangelands locally known as Tsamdro. This was highlighted during the three-day National Consultation Meeting for Managing Rangelands, in Paro, which ended on Thursday.
Close to 60 participants from relevant stakeholders, local government, and highland communities attended the meeting.
They discussed on the institutional gaps for managing rangelands for multiple benefits.
Protection and management of water sources, promotion of medicinal herbs, conservation of endangered flora and fauna, improvement of the productivity of dairy products and highland culture, and promotion of tourism are some of the key benefits that were identified.
Lack of coordination and a reliable and sustainable budget are some of the challenges the participants pointed out during the meeting.
“If the degradation of the pasturelands continues, livestock and other wildlife would face extreme fodder crisis. Climate change is already pushing the tree line into the alpine zone and the snowline is also slowly climbing up. Similarly, the threat is the same with endangered species that we have protected and conserved, so far,” said Towchu Rabgay, Chief Livestock Officer of the Department of Livestock.
“Through such coordination meetings, we are able to discuss and streamline the roles and responsibilities of agencies that are involved in improving pasturelands. For instance, the Department of Livestock encourages us to clear juniper bushes to improve pastureland but it is not advisable with the Department of Forest’s regulation. So, meetings like this bring all the stakeholders together towards achieving a common goal,” said Kumbo Dorji, Chairperson of Bhutan Yak Federation.
“There are some issues that can be easily solved through such deliberations where all stakeholders come together to discuss one cause. For example, some of the households that have fewer herds have huge amounts of pastureland while those who have more herds have less surface area of grazing lands. So, if local leaders can be engaged in such consultative meetings, we can address the issues,” said Tenzin Jamba, Haa Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairperson.
“If the number of herders or those residing in the highlands decline, it will be worrisome. Firstly, we may lose the rich nomadic culture and the land that the forefathers have cultivated will be deserted. So, keeping this in mind, it is important we come up with a streamlined strategy to improve their livelihood through exploring marketing platforms for products from the highlands and provide them with necessary facilities. It is through such workshops we can talk as one,” said Tshering Dorji, Paro Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairperson.
The Department of Livestock and the National Land Commission will soon make an assessment of the degraded rangelands.
“Our department in collaboration with the National Land Commission will draw maps of the existing Tsamdros and then we will assess how many were degraded and where it needs intervention. Secondly, we will plan to train the people in these communities to increase production of highland products that can be sold to make income,” said Towchu Rabgay.
The National Land Commission and Department of Livestock with financial and expertise support from the ICIMOD conducted the workshop.
There are little over 1.3 million acres of Tsamdros used by over 850 households residing in the highlands of 11 districts.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Kipchu
