The current use of forage resources of the northern mountainous region of NWFP, Pakistan and its implications for sustainable development
The current use of forage resources of the northern mountainous region of NWFP, Pakistan and its implications for sustainable development
Sardar Muhammad Rafique
ABSTRACT
Northern mountainous region of NWFP (Pakistan) is comprised of Malakand and Hazara civil divisions. This region spans over 4697 thousand hectares and sustains about 51million sedentary livestock head in addition to a large number of nomadic herds. Principal land use of the region is grazing followed by agriculture and natural forests. The ranges in the region are classified as Alpine pastures, Trans-Himalayan grazing lands and Himalayan forest and open grazing lands. This region provides 4909.3 DM, 288.8 CP and 2402.2 TDN thousand tonnes in the form of crop residues, fodders, grazing and concentrates. However, there is shortage of feed amounting to 2508 DM, 231.4 CP and 1115.7 TDN thousand tones. This deficiency in food results in low production per unit area and/or per livestock head. To tap maximum economic return and sustainable livestock production range improvement activities like application of fertilizer, conversion of vegetation, exclosure, grazing management, introduction of nutritious and high yielding fodder crops, etc. are recommended.
Key words: Forage Resources, Northern Mountainous Region, Sustainable Development, Rangeland
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March 2005
Vol. 55, Iss. 1
