Dynamics of Grazing Land Resource Availability and Utilization in Central Region of Uttar Pradesh
2019
Singh, Rakesh Kumar | Sharma, A.K. | Singh, Y.P. | Singh, VK
Based on primary and secondary data pertaining to the availability, utilization and conservation of grazing land resources at a village level in Indo-Gangetic plains of India, the paper highlights that there has been a significant decline in the grazing land resources over the last 15 years. Only 53.1 per cent of grazing lands and forest land resources are actually available for grazing purposes. Out of available grazing land resource, the main source of grazing is forest land (72.46%) followed by cultivable waste lands (16.56%). The scenario at the district level is also the same, as the area of grazing lands has decreased from 71 thousand ha in 1991–92 to 48.2 thousands ha during last 25 years. The intensity of grazing is 16 animals per ha. The village is acutely deficit in green fodder availability against its requirement, and the farmers resort to grazing of animals (except costly milch animals) to optimize the nutritional constraints. The worst sufferers are the livestock owners having very less or no availability of cultivated land. Neglect, poor maintenance and overgrazing have resulted in most of the grazing resources declining to a poor and degraded condition. Farmers lack guidance, extension service and the requisite sensitization to efficiently manage these resources. The role of village-panchayat institution in efficient management of grazing land resources is almost negligible. Much detailed work at ground level for green fodder production, grazing land maintenance and conservation is desired with the active involvement of multi-stakeholders and under the ambit of a national policy in this regard.
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