Short description of the best practice

An area of 7000 acres in the village Dhurnal in District Chakwal is used for grazing of animals. The area is part of Potohar Plateau characterized by ravines and undulating lands. Whereas livestock rearing is the main source of livelihood for villagers, the grazing capacity of the rangeland area located in the village has decreased due to overgrazing. The soil erosion due to heavy showers in monsoon, trampling effect of grazing animals and overstocking has reduced the regeneration capacity of these rangelands. In addition, quantity of unpalatable species has increased in the composition of range vegetation. The Sustainable Land Management Project (SLMP) in collaboration Punjab Forest Department and participation of local community initiated a pilot project in this area to rehabilitate the degraded rangelands and devise a better management plan for the area. The rehabilitation of rangeland area was accomplished through soil working and reseeding with palatable grasses. The management of rangelands was improved through controlled grazing. As a result of the interventions, the productivity of the range area was increased ten (10) times and optimum utilization of the range resources was ensured.|

Location

Village Dhurnal, Tehsil Talagang, District Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan. The village is located on an off-shoot from Talagang-Mianwali road at about 35 km from Talagang city.|

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

The climate is sub-tropical in nature with average temperature during summer ranging between 29 to 36 degree Celsius, whereas, winter temperature between 7 to 15 degree Celsius. The annual average rainfall is 584 mm and mostly received during winter season.|
Almost 50% of the flat land area of the village is fine silty and used for rainfed agriculture whereas the remaining land mass is used for grazing purpose.
The area is part of Potohar Plateau and has undulating topography with elevation ranging between 421 to 706 meters above sea level.

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

About 68% of the Households earn upto Rs. 4000/- per month
Top three income sources of the households include Agriculture, Government Employment (Army) and Livestock rearing.|
About 80% of the Households own 1-10 acres

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

The rehabilitation and better management of state-owned range lands through the participation of range users (the community) was unique practice and produced very encouraging results. Management of grazing in the rehabilitated areas by preparing management plan and its implementation in association with the local CBO was a new experience.
This also unveiled the opportunity of success in better management and conservation of other similar degraded rangelands. The outputs of the activity were also very significant as compared to the cost of interventions.

Main problems addressed by the best practice

Most of the rangelands in Punjab are owned by the state and usually are leased to private sector on annual basis without consulting the local population that are mainly dependant upon livestock rearing.
|The Grazing of rangeland is usually taken without any planning and control. This leads to overgrazing of easily accessible lands and palatable species. |There was a lack of information about the range area based on real ground situation. The decisions for management of rangelands were taken without any data or information.

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

The village has a total land area of 21,897 acres, out of that 12,704 acres is cultivable, 1193 acres is uncultivable, 7,000 acres is reserved for grazing purposes and a mini water dam exists on the 1000 acres of communal land. Almost 50% of the total cultivable land area is under severe soil erosion or highly undulating, hence, productive agriculture is quite difficult. The mainstay of the community is either on Government/Private jobs outside the village and on rearing livestock. The grazing capacity of the rangeland area located in the village has decreased due to overgrazing. The replenishment of grass is dependent upon rainfall. More than 60 percent of annual rainfall is received in monsoon and 50% of the water is lost due to surface runoff causing soil erosion and loss of nutrients from the top soil. Continued trampling effect of livestock has hardened the soil that has decreased the natural germination of the palatable grasses.|

Specify the objectives of the best practice

Rehabilitation of degraded rangelands through participatory approaches.|Better management of rangelands through involvement of all stakeholders

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Rehabilitation of 400 acres of rangeland
Preparation and implementation of grazing management plan for 7540 acres
No Answer
No Answer
Preparation and implementation of grazing management plan for 7540 acres
Rehabilitation of 400 acres of rangeland

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

1. Rangeland Improvement
Range rehabilitation was demonstrated on 400 acres. It included soil working with tractor to prepare land for grass seed. The seed of Dhaman grass was broadcasted manually. Contour bunds were made at different locations to conserve water in the reseeded area and also prevent soil erosion. The quantity of palatable grass has increased in the area for consumption of livestock.
2. Rangeland Management
Standing biomass of range resource was measured by Punjab Forestry Research Institute, Faisalabad at the end of first monsoon season. Participatory Grazing Management Plan was prepared jointly by the community and Forest Department. Compartmentalization of rangeland was done to streamline rotational grazing system. Grass cutting and grazing permits were jointly issued by the CBO and Forest Department. The implementation of grazing schedule is jointly monitored by the representatives of CBO and the Forest Department.
1. Rangeland Improvement
Range rehabilitation was demonstrated on 400 acres. It included soil working with tractor to prepare land for grass seed. The seed of Dhaman grass was broadcasted manually. Contour bunds were made at different locations to conserve water in the reseeded area and also prevent soil erosion. The quantity of palatable grass has increased in the area for consumption of livestock.
2. Rangeland Management
Standing biomass of range resource was measured by Punjab Forestry Research Institute, Faisalabad at the end of first monsoon season. Participatory Grazing Management Plan was prepared jointly by the community and Forest Department. Compartmentalization of rangeland was done to streamline rotational grazing system. Grass cutting and grazing permits were jointly issued by the CBO and Forest Department. The implementation of grazing schedule is jointly monitored by the representatives of CBO and the Forest Department.

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Provincial Coordination Unit - Sustainable Land Management Project|Planning and development Department,
Lahore, Pakistan.

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

Punjab Forest Department

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• Programme/project-based initiative
• Programme/project-based initiative
• Other (please specify)

Specify:

No Answer

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

Local community (Community Based Organization)

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

The SLMP in collaboration with the Provincial Forest Department initiated the process of rangeland rehabilitation. The main beneficiary of the activity was local CBO, hence they contributed in the form of labour during the rehabilitation process. The CBO was fully involved in developing the grazing plan for the whole rangeland area. Subsequently, implementation on the plan was initiated jointly by the PFD and the CBO.|

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

No Answer
Improvement of range lands through increased carrying capacity helped in improving local livestock syetem. As result household income of grazier communities.
The increase in vegetation cover will impact carbon sequestration in the area.
Range land productivity enhanced and carrying capacity increased.
At the end of the first monsoon season a comparison was drawn between rehabilitated and non rehabilitated rangeland areas. The standing biomass of grass was assessed of both these areas. It was recorded that the rehabilitated area had 10 times more feed as compared to non-rehabilitated area.
No Answer
The increase in ground cover resulted in preventing soil erosion. The increase in porosity of the soil increased percolation of water hence water run-off was reduced. The loss of soil nutrients from the top soil reduced.
Due to rehabilitation of degraded rangeland feed for livestock increased substantially. Furthermore, the involvement of the community in the management process increased social acceptability. |
The increase in vegetation cover will impact carbon sequestration in the area.
At the end of the first monsoon season a comparison was drawn between rehabilitated and non rehabilitated rangeland areas. The standing biomass of grass was assessed of both these areas. It was recorded that the rehabilitated area had 10 times more feed as compared to non-rehabilitated area.
Improvement of range lands through increased carrying capacity helped in improving local livestock syetem. As result household income of grazier communities.
Due to rehabilitation of degraded rangeland feed for livestock increased substantially. Furthermore, the involvement of the community in the management process increased social acceptability. |
Range land productivity enhanced and carrying capacity increased.
The increase in ground cover resulted in preventing soil erosion. The increase in porosity of the soil increased percolation of water hence water run-off was reduced. The loss of soil nutrients from the top soil reduced.
Range land productivity enhanced and carrying capacity increased.
Due to rehabilitation of degraded rangeland feed for livestock increased substantially. Furthermore, the involvement of the community in the management process increased social acceptability. |
Improvement of range lands through increased carrying capacity helped in improving local livestock syetem. As result household income of grazier communities.
At the end of the first monsoon season a comparison was drawn between rehabilitated and non rehabilitated rangeland areas. The standing biomass of grass was assessed of both these areas. It was recorded that the rehabilitated area had 10 times more feed as compared to non-rehabilitated area.
The increase in ground cover resulted in preventing soil erosion. The increase in porosity of the soil increased percolation of water hence water run-off was reduced. The loss of soil nutrients from the top soil reduced.
The increase in vegetation cover will impact carbon sequestration in the area.

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

NA
NA

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

The increase in vegetation cover in the area increased the activity of the micro-organisms in the soil and quantity of humus increased. Due to the grazing activity of the domestic livestock addition of organic matter increased. The birds that feed on micro-organism also increased in the area.
The grazing management plan prepared in consultation with the local community will ensure utilization of the range resource in accordance with the quantity of the resource available each year. The production of range resource is dependent upon the quantity of rainfall received specially during monsoon season. The flexibility in altering utilization was included to ensure that it was linked to the climatic changes taking place each year.
The increase in vegetation cover in the area increased the activity of the micro-organisms in the soil and quantity of humus increased. Due to the grazing activity of the domestic livestock addition of organic matter increased. The birds that feed on micro-organism also increased in the area.
The grazing management plan prepared in consultation with the local community will ensure utilization of the range resource in accordance with the quantity of the resource available each year. The production of range resource is dependent upon the quantity of rainfall received specially during monsoon season. The flexibility in altering utilization was included to ensure that it was linked to the climatic changes taking place each year.

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Yes

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

Participation of primary stakeholders i.e. the local community in planning, implementation and monitoring of the activities.|
Involvement of research institutions in collection of data, and building the management plans on basis of that information or data.|
The activity directly targeted the livelihood source of local people.

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

At which level?

• Local
• Sub-national
• National

Related to human resources

The possibility of involving private sector in rehabilitating rangeland resource and managing it for livestock rearing with the involvement of local communities is required to be explored.

Related to technical aspects

NULL