Securing pastoral livelihoods in arid juniper forest zone of Balochistan, Pakistan
Securing pastoral livelihoods in arid juniper forest zone of Balochistan, Pakistan
A. W. Jasra and I. Ahmad
ABSTRACT
Juniper (Juiperus excellsa) forests of Balochistan, Pakistan are one of the largest remnants of their kind on earth. Subsistence oriented pastoral livelihood of around two million people depends on these forests. This paper gives an analysis of the communities inhabiting the juniper zone and their livelihood sources; and suggestions for resource base improvement. These communities consist of settled/sedentary pastoralists, transhumant pastrolists and nomadic pastoralists. The sedentary community has shifted from pastrol livelihood to agra-pastoral, however, livestock still remains major component of its household economy. Water shortage has emerged as major problem for this community due to prolonged drought conditions and excessive mining of ground water for agriculture. The highest concern of transhumant community is the scarcity of forage and fuel wood at the winter stations. Animal health, prolonged droughts and feed shortage on migratory routes were the major problems of nomadic community. Poor marketing opportunities, high fodder prices, social intolerance and disease incidences are the other important issues. Multipurpose plant species like seabuckthorn and fourwing saltbush together with improved irrigation system and urea molasses blocks as supplemental feed have been identified as viable interventions for livelihood improvement. A policy dialogue is needed to resolve the problems of nomadic community.
Key Words: Pastoralists, livelihood, Juniper Forest, Balochistan, Pakistan
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June 2006
Vol. 56, Iss. 2
