AUTHOR=Saleem Shahid , Rather Javeed A. , Ahmad Suheel , Ahmed Rayees , Hajam Latief Ahmad TITLE=Assessment of livestock carrying capacity in the alpine grasslands of the Kashmir Himalayas JOURNAL=Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice VOLUME=14 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/pastoralism-research-policy-and-practice/articles/10.3389/past.2024.13541 DOI=10.3389/past.2024.13541 ISSN=2041-7136 ABSTRACT=

The alpine grasslands of the Kashmir Himalayas serve as a lifeline for the region’s pastoral communities, providing the primary source of forage for their livestock. These high-altitude rangelands are not only crucial for the livelihood of these communities but also play a significant role in maintaining the ecological balance of the area. However, sustainable pastoralism in these fragile ecosystem hinges on a thorough understanding of forage availability and livestock carrying capacity. This study assesses the forage dynamics and livestock carrying capacity of these high-altitude grasslands. Through comprehensive biomass sampling across 23 strategically selected sites, we calculated an average dry matter above ground biomass yield of 5.10 metric tons per hectare, resulting in a total dry biomass weight of approximately 820,489.22 metric tons (820,489,220 kg), over the entire grassland area of 160,974 ha. Using a daily forage intake of 1.3 kg per Sheep Unit (SU) over 50 grazing days, time period which corresponds to the renewal period for new grass growth, the average carrying capacity of the rangelands was determined to be 39.08 Animal Units (AU) per hectare and the total carrying capacity was estimated as 62,78,556 SU. The current stocking rate of 4,661,800 SU utilizes about 74.21% of this Carrying capacity, leaving a surplus of 25.77% or 1,616,756 Animal Sheep Units. However, localized overgrazing in areas such as Thajwas and Mohand Marg highlights the need for targeted management practices to prevent rangeland degradation. This data is critical as it provides a baseline for understanding the potential of these rangelands to support livestock. This study underscores the importance of sustainable livestock management to optimize carrying capacity while maintaining the ecological balance of the grasslands. Engaging local pastoral communities in these efforts is essential for the effective and sustainable management of the alpine grasslands in the Kashmir Himalayas.