An Overview of Rangelands of Punjab, Pakistan
by
Dr. Muhammad Arshad
Rangelands
in the Punjab spread over from Temperate in the North to Mediterranean ranges
in the western mountains of Suleiman Range and arid and semi-arid desert ranges
of Cholistan (Fig. 1).
Although
Khan and Mohammad, (1987), reported that in Pakistan rangelands occupy about 65
percent of the total land area but a decrease in the area has also been
reported which is now about 51 percent. Ashraf and Akbar (1989) reported that it
may be more extensive (60%). About 18 percent of the country’s rangelands are
contained in the Punjab, this was found to cover 8.2 million ha or 40 percent (Fig.
2) of the area of the province (Mohammad, 1989).
Extreme
climatic variations are the result of an extreme range in elevation and occurrence
of summer monsoon rains. The summers are extremely hot while winters are mildly
cold to very cold. Precipitation varies from 100 mm in the southern deserts to
more than 1500 mm in the Northern Mountains. The central and southern plains of
the province consist of fertile soils but annual rainfall is low averaging less
than 250 mm. Northern snow-covered mountains of the Himalayas, Hindu Kash and
Karakorum ranges are the main source of runoff water for the Indus River and
its tributaries. As a result, water from the Indus and its tributaries is used
to develop the canal irrigation system in Punjab for food and fiber production.
Although
the high potential rangelands are located in the Northern regions of the
province, but extensive semi-desert or desert ranges in the province of the
Punjab are also another biggest resource which needs to be harnessed. Most of
the deserts in the province are man-made and have resulted from a long history
of over grazing, mismanagement and vegetation deterioration. As a result of
continued un-scientific use of rangelands, the current trend of retrogression
is still progressing (Quraishi et. al
1993; Younas, 1997).
Grassland Types of Punjab
In
broad general terms there are four major grassland types in Punjab on the basis
of their species composition (Johnston & Hussain, 1963 and Norman, 1968)
which are as under:
- Dicanthium-
Cenchrus-Elionurus
(associated with tropical thorn forests)
This grass type is associated with the
Tropical thorn Forest and is distributed throughout the alluvial basin of the
river Indus complex and extends from K.P.K Province to Punjab and Sindh. It is
the characteristic
Fig.
1: Land cover map showing rangeland Zones of Punjab.
(Source:
Courtesy of GIS Lab, PFI, Peshawar)
of plains and low eroded hills. The
precipitation mostly received during summer months and varies from more than 500
mm in the north to less than 125 mm in the south and east. The associated
species are:
Dicanthium
annulatus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus setigerus, Elionurus hirsutus, Eleusine
flagellifera, Cynodon dactylon, Sporoblus pallidus and
Panicum
antidotale.
- Chrysopogon
(in the tropical
thorn forests)
A number of forest types have been
associated with this type including the Thorn Forest at low elevations bordering
the Indus Basin, the subtropical dry evergreen forest between 750 to 2000
meters, the dry temperate forest at the high elevations and the Artemisia steppe that starts at about
1200 meters. The region is characteristic of dry low potential valleys of the
Himalayas. The precipitation mostly received during summer months and varies
from more than 500 mm in the north to less than 175 mm in the south. The
associated species are:
Chrysopogon
aucheri,Stipa szovitsiana, Stipa linearis, Eusoapogon persicus, and Oryzopsis
equiglumis and Bromus tectorum.
- Themeda-Arundinella (in the hilly northern areas),
It has been found in the northern
mountains at an elevation of 500 to 2500 meters. The principal grass species
are associated Themeda anathera,
Arundinella spp.,Eulaliopsis bintas, Chrysopogon spp., Dimeria spp.,
Bothriochloa spp., Heteropgon contortus, and Pennisetum orientale.
- Saccharum (on river and nullah and alluvial
floodplains)
Saccharum spp. are characteristics of young
alluvial soils along with the river courses. The vegetation is influenced by
frequent erosion and deposition of land as a result of shifting water courses
of Indus river complex. The pioneer association was found to consistTamarix dioca, T.troupii, and Saccharum
spontaneum, Cynodon dactylon and Saccharum arundinaecum were
characteristics of later successional stage.
Associated
with these grasslands in the Punjab are five main forest types (Hussain,
Chaudhry & Khan, 1999). Much of the original forest is in a degraded
condition due to over exploitation and has been converted into scrub forest,the
associated grasslands.
The
rangelands of Punjab consists of four zones, that is the Pothwar Plateau, Thal
Desert, Suleiman mountain piedmont area (Dera Ghazi Khan Tract or Pachad Tract)
and Cholistan Desert. The rangelands under the administration of the Punjab
Forest Department are three million ha, which is 36% of the total area of
rangelands of Punjab (Fig: 3).
Table 7.Region wise distribution of Rangelands
in Punjab
Million (ha)
S.No
|
Rangelands Zones
|
Public Sector
Rangelands* |
Total area**(Public +Private)Rangelands
|
1
|
Pothwar
Scrub rangelands*
|
0.324
|
1.68
|
2
|
Thal
Desert rangelands
|
0.063
|
2.50
|
3
|
D.G.Khan
rangelands
|
0.028
|
1.50
|
4
|
Cholistan
Desert rangelands
|
2.592
|
2.60
|
Total:-
|
3.009
|
8.28
|
(Source
:*Government of Punjab, 1974. **Mohammad, 1989).
Fig2: Region
/Zone wise distribution of total area of rangelands in Punjab
Fig.
3:Public Sector Rangelands of Punjab
(Source: Punjab
Forest Department)
2.1 POTHWAR SCRUB RANGELANDS
2.1.1
Location
The Pothwar tract is located in the North of Punjab and
lies between 320-30’ to 340-0’ North latitude and 720-740
East longitude consisting of 1.5 mha falling in the districts of Attock, Islamabad,
Rawalpindi, Jehlum, Chakwal and Gujrat, Mianwali and Khushab (Salt Range). It
lies between rivers Jehlum and Indus.
2.1.2
Geology and Soil
The
Pothwar tract is sub-mountainous in character altitude varies from 300 to 1500
meters. Geomorphologically, the plateau can be classified into mountains; hillocks,
valleys, ravines, streams, plains, weathered rocks, piedmont plains, loess
plains and river plains. The rock formation is composed of tertiary sandstones
and alluvial deposits. The sandstones apparently belong to the Sirmur and
Siwalik series of the Sub-Himalayan system. The pebble ridges, described as
alluvial deposits are a peculiar feature. Large isolated boulders in many
places indicate a glacial epoch in the Pothwar plains. The Pothwar plains were
formed during the quaternary period and are composed of alluvium and groral
caps (Soil Survey of Pakistan, 1978).
The
soils of the areas have developed from a wide range of parent material. While
the agriculture soils have developed in wind and water transported materials
consisting of loess, piedmont alluvial and river alluvium deposits, mountains
out wash and recent stream valley deposits. Some are derived from shale and
sandstone. The older soils are non-calcareous whereas the relatively younger components
are calcareous. Ecologically, it is located in the sub-tropical, semiarid to
sub humid zone(Soil Survey of Pakistan, 1978).
2.1.3 Climate
The
climate is sub-tropical continental low lands, sub humid Pothwar Plateau
(Ahmed,1951) with a mean annual precipitation of 940 mm, most of which falls in the monsoon season during the months of
July and August. The precipitation is erratic during two seasons which occurs
from mid of June to mid of September and December to March. The summer monsoon
rains are usually accompanied by the thunder storms and occur as a heavy
downpour resulting in considerable runoff. Most of the annual precipitation in
the semi-arid portion occurs during June to September period. In the North and
East about 70 percent occurs in summer. The winter rains occur as gentle showers
of long duration and are more effective for soil and moisture replenishment
than the summer rains. The tract is subject to heavy soil erosion and gully
formation due to excessive land use and subsequent removal of vegetative cover.
January
is the coldest month (mean minimum temperature 0.6C0) while June is
the hottest month (mean maximum temperature 45C0). Beg et.al (1985)
reported that the mean annual precipitation ranges between 650 to 1000 mm and
the mean annual temperature ranges between 18-24 C0). Highest
relative humidity of 83 % and 76% was recorded in the morning in the coldest
months of December & January and 51% and 45% in the evening.
2.1.4.
Extent of Rangelands.
Table
8. Detail of the Public Ranges falling in various districts of Pothwar.
Name of
Forest
|
District
|
Area in ha
|
Rasool
Reserved Forest.
|
Mandi Baha-ud-Din
|
334.8178
|
Pabbi
Reserved Forest.
|
Gujrat
|
15403.64
|
Phadial
Reserved Forest.
|
Jhelum
|
4433.198
|
Ara
Reserved Forest.
|
Chakwal
|
4325.911
|
Noorpur
Reserved Forest.
|
Chakwal
|
1126.316
|
Mari
Reserved Forest.
|
Chakwal
|
3055.87
|
Behiot
Reserved Forest.
|
Khushab
|
3913.36
|
Pail
Reserved Forest.
|
Khushab
|
1819.838
|
Gulial
Reserved Forest.
|
Attock
|
6881.781
|
TOTAL
|
41294.74
|
|
(Source: Range
Management Circle Lahore, 2012)
2.1.5. Ecology and Vegetation
The
vegetation of the tract is a dry deciduous scrub. Among the tree species Phulai
(Acacia modesta) is found all over
the tract growing naturally. Phulai is browzed by goats and camels. Kao (Olea cuspidata) is found in major part
of the tract except in Pabbi hills and some western low lying areas of Attock
district and hotter aspects of Jhelum. Kao is a very useful species. Besides
providing wood for implements, its leaves are used as fodder. Lopping of kao is
therefore a common practice all over the tract. The shrubs, grasses and forbs
found in the tract are given below
The
predominant tree species, shrubs, grasses and forbs are as under:
- Kao (Olea cuspidata), Phulai (Acacia
modesta),Kikar (Acacia nilotica),
Mesquite (Prosopis Juliflora), Ber
(Zizyphus Jujuba), Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), Kangar (Pistacia integrima), Iple iple (Leucaena leucocephala),
- Pataki
(Gymnosporia royliana), Mallah (Zizyphus nummularia), Snatha (Dodonea viscosa), Gunghair (Monotheca buxifolia) Garanda (Carrisa spinarum), Bahekar (Adhatoda vasica), Shamshad (Buxus papilosa)
- Pharion
(Digitaria bicornis), Palwan (Brothriochloa pertusa), Khar (Chrysopogon aucheri), Chimber (Eleusine flagellifera), Dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris) Sariala (Heteropogon
contotrus), Dab(Desmostachya
bipinnata), Babbar (Eragrostis
superba), Khawi(cymbopogon
Jawarancusa), Lumb (Aristida
adscencionis), Gorkha (Elionurus
hirsutus)Dilla (Cyperus
eleusinoides)Lumber, (Cenchrus
biflorus), Tilla/Khar (Chrysopogon
ciliaris), Khabbal (Cynodon
dactylon), Palwan (Dichanthium annulatum) Madhana , (Dactyloctenium scindicum) Gharam (Panicum antidotale).
- Bathu (Chenopodium album), Itsit (Behavior diffusa), Mako (Solonum
nigrum).
The
plant density on the whole, is very variable. It is poor on southern western
slopes being dry & hot, whereas on the northern slopes, the density is
good. The top soil has been practically washed away. Erosion has reached a very
advanced stage in some parts and bare infertile rocks have been exposed which
cannot support any type of vegetation.
2.1.6.
Range condition and classes
Range condition is the present state of vegetation
of a range site in relation to the climax plant community for that site. It is
a measure of the status of current vegetation in relation to the climax
vegetation of that area. In other words, it is the measure of the range health.
Ecologically, the climax composition is considered as the best vegetation that
the nature can produce for a given area. If a given range is in excellent or
good condition, then range managers try to maintain the range in a stable
condition. However, if range condition is poor or bad, the range managers have
to do something to improve the range health. The most popular approach to
determine range condition involves measurement of range condition of a given
site in degrees of departure from climax. Excellent or good range condition
represents climax and poor range condition represents deviation from climax.
Following ratings are generally used to determine range condition (Dyksterhuis,
1958).
Condition
Class
|
Percent of present composition that
is climax for the site.
|
Excellent
|
76-100
|
Good
|
51-75
|
Fair
|
26-50
|
Poor
|
0-25
|
S.No
|
Botanical Name
|
English Name
|
Common
Name
|
DM%
|
CP
%
|
CF
%
|
NDF%
|
ADF%
|
Lignin%
|
EE%
|
Ash%
|
Gross Energy(MJ/Kg DM)
|
Forage (DM/ha)
|
1
|
Lasiurus scindicus
|
Sewan
grass
|
Gorkha
grass
|
32.2
|
6.1
|
41
|
75.9
|
47.5
|
7
|
2.3
|
8.4
|
18.4
|
3.4
|
2
|
Cenchrus ciliaris
|
Buffel
grass
|
Dhaman
|
30.1
|
7.1
|
42.2
|
75.1
|
46.6
|
6.8
|
2.1
|
9.1
|
18.3
|
4.8-9.1
|
3
|
Cynodon dactylon
|
Bermuda
grass
|
Khabbal
|
32.9
|
9.7
|
31.4
|
66.7
|
36.8
|
4.7
|
1.7
|
9.7
|
17.9
|
5-15
|
4
|
Heteropogon contortus
|
Spear
grass
|
Sariala
|
39.2
|
5
|
37
|
72.1
|
43.1
|
6.1
|
1.4.
|
1.88
|
17.9
|
05-8.7
|
5
|
Bothriochloa pertusa
|
Indian
bluegrass
|
Palwan
|
42.9
|
5
|
33.1
|
68.4
|
38.7
|
5.1
|
1.9
|
11.6
|
17.4
|
Upto 15
|
6
|
Chloris
gayana
|
Rhodes
grass
|
-
|
25
|
8.9
|
37.4
|
72.4
|
43.5
|
6.1
|
2.2
|
8.9
|
18.3
|
11.5-17.2
|
7
|
Digitaria
decumbens
|
Digit
grass
|
-
|
27.1
|
8.1
|
36.3
|
71.4
|
42.3
|
5.9
|
2.2
|
11
|
17.8
|
Upto 15
|
8
|
Panicum
antidotale
|
Blue
panic
|
Gharam
|
28.6
|
10.2
|
36.6
|
73.7
|
42.5
|
5.9
|
1.6
|
9.8
|
18.1
|
2.5-6
|
Table
9: Nutritive value of common range grasses
Range condition can also be measured by using “site
potential” approach (Humphrey,1949). In this approach, the current condition or
primary production status of a given range is related to the potential
production capacity of that range for a particular use. This approach has the
flexibility for judging the range condition for a specified use, for example a
site can be rated as excellent for wildlife habitat but poor or fair for
livestock grazing.
The primary purpose of determining range condition
is to provide an approximate measure of changes that have taken place in the
plant cover and thereby provide a basis for predicting the nature and direction
of plant community changes to be expected from management and treatment
measures.
The range condition of an area within a range site
is determined by comparing present vegetation with the climax plant community.
To facilitate this process components of the vegetation are segregated
according to their response to the kind of grazing use on specific range sites.
These component categories are decreaser, increaser and invader plants.
Little work has been done to determine the range
condition which involves measurement in degrees of departure from climax
vegetation in Pothwar tract and other desert rangeland of Punjab. However, the forage
production potential has been estimated by determining forage production over
time. The forage production can be co-related in determination of range
condition classes. The forage production was estimated in Pothwar tract as 4350
Kg/ha on the high potential sites protected for 2 years, which is equivalent to
2 ha per animal unit/ annum. Similar estimates have been made on moderate and depleted
sites as 7 and 56 ha per animal unit per annum respectively (Qurashi, 1993).
Raza
and Ahmed (1990) estimated the qualitative and quantitative parameters of
environmentally sound rangeland vegetation of Pindigheb, area of Attock
district where two ecological zones were established were based on climate and
two types of physiographic soils. Four plant communities extracted for each
ecological unit were integrated with climate and two types of physiographic and
finally delineated into vegetation and land use map showing four range
ecological units. Vegetation analysis in protected forest and unprotected open
grazing areas showed considerable vegetation degradation and ecological
destruction for low ground cover, density and frequency of major unprotected.
Analysis of variance of quantitative forage production of dry matter between
protected forest and unprotected open grazing areas of each ecological zone
showed highly significant differences. The unprotected over grazed areas showed
about 2.5-7.0 times decline in forage production. The unprotected over grazed
areas have 147% and 638% development potential in each ecological zone for
carrying capacity in animal units per hectare per year, if protected from open
grazing and improved by system of grazing management.(Raza & Ahmad, 1990).
2.1.7. Trend in range condition
Range condition classifies the present vegetation of
a range site in relation to the potential for that site. Knowing the condition,
however, does not indicate whether the range is improving or deteriorating.
Trend is the direction of change in range condition (SRM, 1974). The rating
includes‘ upward’,‘ downward’ or ‘stable’. Ecologically, upward trend
corresponds to successional stages toward climax and downward trend corresponds
to retrogression or away from climax. The most important technique to measure
range trend is to use enclosures. Enclosure separates climatic effects from
this caused by grazing. For periodic monitoring of ecological changes taking
place in soil improvement and natural habits of fauna and flora, exclosures are
erected in range ecological zones. Each exclosure over an area of 50 x 100 m. Three
permanent transects are usually laid out inside the fence and 3 transects of
the same length are marked outside the exclosure. Transects are the beginning
point marked with an aluminum cap set in a concrete pier at about 4 inches above
the soil surface or using wooden pegs. In hilly areas, transects are laid out
in north-south direction. The location of the marker and the transect are noted
on base maps. All trees located within two meters of the transect are
identified by species and the stem diameter at one meter height, crown diameter
and height are estimated for each tree. An estimate of vegetation condition and
trend are made for the immediate area of the transect. Soil surface is
described with soil erosion characteristic, condition and trend noted. The
following are among the more important characteristics of both vegetation and
soil that indicate apparent trend in range condition.
Abundance of seedlings and young plants, plant
residue, composition changes, plant vigor, condition of the soil surface. However,
the relative importance of the several factors mention above will vary with
difference in vegetation, soils, and climate.
Haider
et.al (2011) studied the effect of
grazing systems on forage production in rangelands of Pabbi Hills, Kharian,
Range Management Division, Chakwal. The study period was 4 years i.e from
2000-2001 to 2003-2004.They reported that in open grazing system, the dry
forage yield had a downward trend and it declined from 550 Kg/ha in 2000-2001
to 220 Kg/ha in 2003-04. They recommended 6-month seasonal deferred grazing to
be practiced in this region (Fig.4).
2.1.8.Range
improvement practices.
Keeping in view the spirit and the recommendations
contained in the federal document that is Rangelands
of Pakistan, a study, National Range Management Committee, Government of
Pakistan, Islamabad-1973 in 1974 a feasibility survey report (PC.II
document) for management of rangelands of Punjab for pre-investment purposes
was produced. The report looked in detail at the characteristics of the
Pothwar, Thal, Cholistan and D.G. Khan tracts and made specific recommendations
for improvement and management operations for each zone. The recommendations in
this document along with those in the federal document have been implemented to
a greater extent and have become the principle documents that have guided in
undertaking range management operations through various, government funded and
donor assisted range improvement operations.
Therefore following the recommendations
of the Feasibility Survey Report, range improvement activities in Punjab were
started during 1974 under a development project captioned “Range Management in
the Punjab Pothwar Tract-Phase-I” which was followed by phase two and other
development projects. A brief of range interventions made under different
development projects from the year 1974-75 to 2011-12 are given in Table10.
Fig: 4. Decline in forage production over
four years of study in
rangelands of Pubbi Hills.
Table 10.Details
of rangeland development intervention in Pothwar(1974-75 to 2011-12)
|
S.No.
|
Development works
|
Unit
|
Dev.
|
Non-Dev.
|
Total
|
1
|
Seeding of native grasses
|
Ha
|
8,498
|
2872
|
11370
|
2
|
Afforestation works
|
Ha
|
19335
|
2860
|
22195
|
3
|
Grass tuft planting
|
Ha
|
472
|
-
|
472
|
4
|
Development of watering points.
|
No.
|
252
|
5
|
257
|
5
|
Construction of pasture roads.
|
Km
|
97
|
-
|
97
|
6
|
Soil conservation works
|
Ha
|
1781
|
1781
|
|
7
|
Raising of grass seed nursery
|
Ha
|
6
|
4
|
10
|
(Source: Range Management Circle Lahore, 2012)
2.1.9.
Impact of range improvement practices
Although, it has been estimated that against the
productive potential of 4 tons per ha the Pothwar rangelands, at present are
only producing 1.5 tons/ha which is only one third of its productive potential
(Mohammad, 1989). Various studies have revealed that it could be easily increased
through scientific management. Chaudhry et.al (2010) determined the forage production on both the
treated/ reseeded and untreated areas of Mari Reserve Forest of Pothwar tract at
the end of the growing season during October, 2007. The reseeded area produced
about 16 times (7733 kg/ha) more forage than the untreated area (491 kg/ha). The
carrying capacity of the range based on dry biomass of grasses, herbs was found
to be 0.07 and 1.18 Animal Units per ha per year in untreated and treated
areas, respectively or in other words, the range having an area of 3055 ha can support
3605 AU per year if seeded, otherwise it will support only 214 AU per year.
These results indicated that reseeding may be an important range improvement practice
for the rehabilitation of the degraded rangelands of Pothwar.
Due to yearlong and
unscientific grazing and with livestock more than the carrying capacity of the
range, the seeded stands are over grazed easily resultantly there is no impact
of range development. Therefore, it is important that more emphasis be given to
the scientific management of the seeded stands for sustainable development.
2.2
DESERT RANGELANDS OF THAL
2.2.1. Location
The
tract is bound by the piedmont of the Salt Range in the north, the Indus River
flood plains in the West and Jhelum and Chenab River flood plains in the east. About
2.6 mha of arid and semi-arid areas of Thal range, receiving 150 to 200 mm
annual precipitation is located at an altitude of 200 m and lies between 31- 330
N latitude and 71.070E. It
comprises of larger parts of districts of Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah,
Muzaffargarh and some parts of the districts of Khushab, Sargodha and Jhang
which are still out of the command of canal irrigation system.
2.2.2.
Geology and Soil
The soil is
moderately calcareous; alkaline clay loam and alluvial with sandy texture.
Sandis fine brown whereas sand dunes cover 50 to 60 percent of the area. The
range area can be divided into four range sites viz: Sand dunes Slope and foots of sand dunes, Flat
areas and Kankor.
According
to soil survey of Pakistan (SSP, 1968) the geomorphology of the areas consists
of sand ridges, abandoned channels and flood plans. Over the major part of the
Thal desert, the alluvium has been blown into sand ridges and hollows or
valleys known as patties in the local
dialect. The soils of ridges are very deep, structure less, fine soils of
various degrees of calcareousness and colour gradations. All the sand ridges
soils are highly drained and having pH value of 8.4. Fine soil material from
ridges has been drained into hollows and valleys and where allowed to settle
down, has made very deep, moderately calcareous and poor structured soil.
The soils
of valleys are mostly well drained with an average pH of about 8.4. Whereas on
the other hand, the soils of the abandoned channels are water reworked sediment
material with a wide textural range (loamy sands to fine silty clays) usually
have kankor, zone and are moderate lycalcareous with a pH ranging from 8.3 to
8.8. Soils of sub recent flood plains are moderately deep to dark,
grayish-brown, silty clay loams and silty clays with weak to moderate
structures 3 and weak lime profile but no kankor zone. In southern areas,
reduced annual flooding and a high water table have resulted in alkalinization.
The soils are alluvial with sandy
textured sand dunes covering 50 to 60 percent of the area.
2.2.3.
Climate
The
north eastern part of the range area receives more rainfall than southern part.
(GOP, 1974). Strong winds are very common which cause severe soil erosion. The
temperature varies between 0oC to 44o C in winter and
summer months of the year. The mean
maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in the tract are about 440
C and less than 00C respectively. The average annual precipitation
varies from 385 mm in the north-east to 170 mm in the south. Approximately
three-fourth of annual rainfall is received during monsoon.
2.2.4. Extent of Rangeland.
Table.11 Details of the Public
Rangeland falling in Thal Tract.
|
||
Range Lands
|
Area (ha)
|
|
Rakh dagar
Kotli
|
3267.206
|
|
Rakh Baba
Hunda Lal
|
4138.866
|
|
Rakh
Chikkan
|
2772.874
|
|
Rakh Gohar
Wala
|
9814.575
|
|
Rakh Khew
Yara
|
6727.53
|
|
Rakh
chubara
|
5032.794
|
|
Rakh
chubara
|
6852.632
|
|
Rakh Khere
Wala
|
12483.4
|
|
Rakh
Shergarh
|
12812.55
|
|
Total:-
|
63,902.43
|
|
(Source: Range Management Circle Lahore, 2012)
2.2.5.
Ecology and Vegetation
Ecologically,
the range area is a part of tropical and subtropical sandy plains and is
considered one of the prominent rangeland of southern Punjab which covers an
area of 2.5 million ha. (Muhammad, 1989; Quraishi et al. 2006).The
predominant tree species, shurbs, grasses are as under:
a)
Jand (Prosopis
cineraria), Frash (Tamarix aphylla),
Wan (Salvadora oleoides), Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), Ber (Zizyphus jujuba)
b)
Kikri (Acacia
jacquemontii), Karir (Capparis
aphylla), Phog (Calligonum polygonoides)
c)
The
indigenous grasses like Dhaman (Cenchrus cilliaris), Khabbal (Cynodon dactylon), Khawai (Cymbopogon jwarancsa), Chhimber (Eleusine flagellifera), Malai (Panicum antidotale), Lumb (Aristida
depressa), Gorkha (Elionurus hirsutus)Dicanthium
annulatum,sorghum halepense,Haloxylon recurvum. (Khan, 1966; GOP, 1974,
Muhammad 1989, Quraishi et al. 1993).
2.2.6
Range condition and trend.
Range
condition and trend has been discussed in detail in the preceding chapter however,
the forage production and its variation over time has been recorded during
various studies. Chaudhry et al (2000) reported forage production of reseeded
areas of Rakh Dagar Kotli of Range Management Division Bhakkar to be 581 Kg per
hectare and reported heavy grazing pressure which resulted in downward trend of
the range condition. Chaudhry et el. (2012) conducted survey to
assess the prospects of rangeland development in Thal tract and found that 94‑100 % of respondents of all
categories grazed their livestock in stateowned rangelands of the Thal tract, in
spite of having
low carrying capacity. Thetract met 59% of feed requirement of their livestock.
Formulation of community organization is pre-requisite for development of the
rangelands of the area.
2.2.7
Range improvement practices
The details of rangeland development interventions
made from the year, 1974-75 to 2011-12 are as under:-
Table:12. Detail of development interventionsin Thal
Tract.
|
||||||
S.No.
|
Development Works
|
Unit
|
Develop-ment
|
Non-Dev
|
Total
|
|
1
|
Seeding of native grasses
|
ha
|
21,013
|
678
|
21691
|
|
2
|
Afforestation works
|
ha
|
711.05
|
147
|
858.05
|
|
3
|
Grass tuft planting
|
No.
|
3,33,000
|
-
|
3,33,000
|
|
4
|
Construction of pasture roads.
|
Km
|
200
|
-
|
200
|
|
5
|
Installation of hand pumps
|
No.
|
382
|
-
|
382
|
|
6
|
Installation of tube well
|
No.
|
8
|
3
|
11
|
|
7
|
Sand dunes planting.
|
ha
|
1564
|
9.6
|
1573.6
|
|
8
|
Raising of grass seed nursery
|
ha
|
90
|
-
|
90
|
|
(Source: Range Management Circle Lahore, 2012)
2.2.8
Impact of range improvement practices.
Range
improvement works were initiated in Thal tract immediately after the
implementation of Maslakh range improvement project. Thal is the second highest
potential rangeland, in Punjab. Its soil is very fertile and the sub soil water
is fit for irrigation purposes. The range improvement practices have
significant impact on the pastoral economy of area as it increases the forage
quality and quantity, which ultimately increase in animal production, increase
water yields on watershed and reducing conflicts between multiple uses of range
resources. However, due to decades of over grazing and non-practicing of any specialized
grazing system the rangelands have deteriorated in condition and the trend has
gone downward. Furthermore, these are the marginal lands and the local people
prefer to cultivate Gram crop rather than to go for the range management on the
private rangelands, which further accelerates the soil erosion and cause
environmental pollution.
2.3
RANGELANDS OF DERA
GHAZI KHAN
2.3.1. Location
Dera Ghazi Khan tract is located between latitude 280.30’
to 310.15’, in the North and longitude 690.30’ to 700.75’
in the East. The tract lies in the Punjab Province which borders simultaneously
with NWFP in the North, Indus River in the East, Sindh towards the South and
Baluchistan in the West. The rangelands of Dera Ghazi Khan tract consisting of
an area of 0.5 mha lie between the Sulaiman Range and the Indus River. Its average
slope is gentle but few sand dunes are also found.
2.3.2.
Geology and Soil
Soils of rangelands are divided into two sub-regions.
The piedmont plains locally called “pachad” are formed in the local alluvium derived
from adjoining mountains. The topography of the area is undulating, with deep,
well drained, calcareous, medium-textured and low inorganic matter(Mohammad,
1984). The river plains locally known as “belas” are formed in the mixed
alluvium originated from the Himalayas. These are sandy clay calcareous and low
in organic matter.
2.3.3
Climate.
The general climatic regime of D.G.Khan tract is
typical of very arid sub mountainous sub-tropical continental. Ecologically, it
is tropical plain (non-sandy). Climate is broadly characterized by cold winters
and very hot summers. Winter temperature occasionally reach zero level,
especially in January and February, due to westerly cold winds. June and July
are the hottest months with an average maximum temperature of 420C.
Average annual precipitation varies from 75 to 162 mm, most of the rainfall
storms that move from high mountains (1540-3400m) lose their moisture before
reaching range areas which are situated relatively at lower altitude (150 m).
Annual rainfall at Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa, Fort Munro, Jampur and Rajanpur has
been recorded as 132, 163, 202, 98 and 100 mm respectively(Mohammad, 1989).
2.3.4
Extent of Rangeland
Total
area under the control Punjab Forest department was 28,217 ha which comprised
12 Rakhs located in D. G. Khan and
Taunsa Tehsils. Out of this area 404 ha of Rakh
Choti Dalana were transferred to the Civil Aviation Authority for the
construction of Airport, 324 ha were transferred to Education Department for
the construction of campus, Agriculture University, An area of 1137 ha of Rakh Rindwala, Kaluwala and Thatha Jhoke
Bodo was further transferred to D. G. Khan Forest Division for conversion
of this native vegetation into irrigated plantation as it came under the
command of Chashma Right Bank Canal.
Table 13. Rangelands
of Dera Ghazi Khan
|
Rangeland
|
Area (ha)
|
Rakh Choti
Dalan
|
7315.385
|
Rakh
Khitran Wala
|
727.1255
|
Rakh Rind
Wala
|
408.9069
|
Rakh Kalu
Wala
|
242.1053
|
Rakh
Rurkali
|
814.9798
|
Rakh
Berind
|
913.3603
|
Rakh Hamel
wali
|
376.9231
|
Rakh
chatta Maijata
|
486.6397
|
Rakh
Thatta Jhoke Bodo
|
1004.049
|
Total:
|
28,217.41
|
(Source: Range
Management Circle Lahore, 2012)
2.3.5. Ecology and Vegetation
Rangelands which are recently
formed or the young soils are colonized by Saccharum spontaneum and Tamarix dioica along the river Indus. These are replaced by Acacia nilotica, Prosopis cineraria. Wan (Salvadora oleoides) is probably the climax
species of that region. The predominant trees, grasses are forbs are as under:
a). Jand(Prosopis cineraria),
Ber (Zizyphus jujuba), Wan (Salvadora oleoides), Kikar (Acacia nilotica), Kikari (Acacia jacquemontii), Phulai (Acacia
modesta), Acacia Senegal, Alhaji camelorum, Calligonum polygonoides, Callotropis
procera, Capparis decidua, Kahjoor (Phoenix
dactylifera),Lahora (Tecoma undulate),Malah (Zizyphus mauritiana.)
b). Dhaman (Cenchrus
cilliaris), Khabbal (Cynodon dactylon),
Kahi (Saccharum spontaneum), Chhimber (Eleusine flagellifera), Malai
(Panicum antidotale), Lumb (Aristida depressa), Gorkha (Elionurus hirsutus), Cenchrus setigerus, Cymbopogon
jawarancusa, Demostachya bipinnata, Haloxylon recurvum, Haloxylon salicornium, Kochia
indica, Leptadenia pyrotechnica,Peganum hermala,Saccharum munja,Salsola foetida,
Withania coagulans.
2.3.6.
Range Condition and Trend.
The information concerning
forage availability, quality, quantity and palatability of range plants is
available regarding D.G. Khan tract is limited. The forbs and secondary grasses
usually increase as primary grasses decrease. Total cover may change very
little, and occasionally may increase due to the invasion of non-palatable
plants. Deterioration of the rangelands has been associated with irregular
grazing by nomadic and local livestock and illicit cutting of shrubs for fuel
and fodder. Most of the rangelands are in poor condition. Estimated dry matter
yields were 3 to 4 t/ha from Lasiurus
sindicus seeded stands at Rakh Choti Dalana and only about 400-500 kg/ha
from non-seeded areas (Mohammad, 1989).
Khan et.al (1999) studied the effect of artificial reseeding on the
forage production of wild rangelands of Thatha Leghari of Dera Ghazi Khan and reported
that the reseeded area produced 10 times (4000 kg/ha) more forage than the
native range (425 kg/ha).Similarly
in another study, Chaudhry (2009) determined the carrying capacity of different
rangelands (Rakhs) of Dera Ghazi Khan which is given in the Table. 14. below:
Table 14: Carrying
capacity of rangelands of D.G.Khan.
Rakh/Range
|
Area in ha.
|
Year of Seeding
|
Carrying
capacity (ha/AU/Yr)
|
||
Reseeded
Areas
|
Un-seeded
Areas
|
||||
Open for
Grazing
|
Close for
Grazing
|
||||
Choti
Dalana
|
7548.58
|
2006-07
2005-06
|
-
-
|
1.23
1.19
|
10.31
-
|
Shadan lund
|
4424.29
|
2006-07
2005-06
|
-
5.54
|
1.77
-
|
13.36
-
|
Bela vidor
|
5255.46
|
2006-07
|
-
|
1.51
|
12.14
|
Rakh Barind
|
912.95
|
2006-07
2005-06
|
-
3.64
|
1.44
-
|
12.95
-
|
Rakh Kathranwalla
|
727.12
|
2006-07
2005-06
|
-
2.06
|
0.89
-
|
13.76
-
|
(Source:
Chaudhry, A.A. 2009)
The
carrying capacity in un-reseeded areas ranged from 10.31 to 13.76 ha/AU/Yr. Whereas
the carrying capacity increased significantly in reseeded areas and it was 0.89-
1.77 ha/AU/Yr in closed areas and 2.06-5.54 ha/AU/Yr in the open areas (Fig.6).
This study indicated forage production equivalent to 238Kg/ha. Therefore, it
has been revealed from these two studies that, the rangelands in Dera Ghazi
Khan had a downward trend as forage production decreased from 425Kg/ha in 1999
to 238 Kg/ha in 2009 in the open areas (Fig: 5).
Fig: 5. Decrease in carrying capacity (herbage
production) of rangelands
of D.
G. Khan
Fig: 6. Area required
per Animal Unit (AU) per year in different Ranges of D. G. Khan
2.3.7
Range improvement practices
The details of rangeland development interventions made from the year 1974-75 to 2011-12 are given as under:-
Table 15. Detail of rangeland development interventions
in D.G.Khan ( 1974-75 to 2011-12)
|
S.No
|
Development Works
|
Unit
|
Devel-pment
|
Non-Dev.
|
Total
|
1
|
Reseeding
of grasses
|
ha
|
9,130
|
122
|
9,252
|
2
|
Making of
water spreading dykes
|
No
|
9550
|
160
|
9710
|
3
|
Construction
of water ponds
|
No
|
141
|
-
|
141
|
4
|
Construction
of Pasture roads
|
Km
|
300
|
-
|
300
|
5
|
Raising of
potted plants
|
No
|
2,18,000
|
2,62,600
|
4,80,600
|
6
|
Raising of
bed nursery
|
ha
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
7
|
Raising of
grass seed nursery
|
ha
|
14
|
-
|
14
|
8
|
Installation
of tube wells
|
No
|
3
|
-
|
3
|
9
|
Installation
of hand pumps
|
No
|
3
|
-
|
3
|
10
|
Dry Afforestation
|
ha
|
23624
|
-
|
23624
|
11
|
Planting
around tobas
|
No
|
2,000
|
2500
|
4,500
|
(Source: Range
Management Circle Lahore, 2012)
2.3.8
Impact of range improvement practices
The first attempt for the scientific management of rangelands in Dera
Ghazi Khan was made in 1960. The efforts failed to yield good results, and the
area, being extremely arid, was declared unsuitable for range Improvement (GOP
1970).
Later on, after creation of range management circle in Punjab, range
improvement projects were launched which gave encouraging results. The herbage
production was increased upto 10 times. In the year 1982, an independent range
management division was created with its Headquarter at D.G.Khan and scientific
range management was started on regular basis. Since, these range lands are
under sever grazing pressure particularly from the nomadic graziers of Balochistan
and there is no impact of range improvement practices in ecosystem
rehabilitation as well as uplift of the socio-economic conditions of the local
people.
2.4 CHOLISTAN DESERT RANGELANDS
2.4.1
Location
The
Cholistan desert is located in southern Punjab extending through the Nara and
Thar deserts of Sindh between latitudes 27o 42′and 29o
45′North and longitudes 69o 52′and 75o 24′East covering
about 2.6 million ha. It has length of 480 Km and width varies from 32 to 192
km (Khan, 1987). Based on topography, parent material, soil and vegetation, the
Cholistan Desert can be divided into two geomorphic regions; the northern
region is called Lesser Cholistan bordering canal irrigated areas covering
about 7,770 km2and the southern region is called Greater Cholistan
and covers about 18,130 km2.
The
old Hakra riverbed (dried about 600 years ago) is the dividing line between the
two regions. Lesser Cholistan comprises the desert margin and include sall the
area north of the Hakra, while Greater Cholistan is essentially the area south
of the old Hakra riverbed. The northern part of Lesser Cholistan includes an
irrigation zone of 280,000 ha served by a canal network, where only 130,000 ha
are commendable but only a small part is actually irrigated.
It is spread over the district of Bahawalpur, Rahim
Yar Khan and Bahawalnagar and covers two-third area of Bahawalpur Civil Division.
2.4.2
Geology and Soil.
The soil survey of Cholistan was conducted by the
Soil Survey of Pakistan in 1974. The soils of the tract are saline, alkaline
and gypsiferous composed of granites, schists, gneiss, and slates. The area
consists of shifting sand dunes. The dunes reach heights of about 100 m in
grater Cholistan.
Four major land forms recognized by Baig et.al
(1980) includes sub-recent river plains, the first sandy terrace above the
Hakra River (late pleistocene), the second sandy terrace above the Hakra River
plain (late pleistocene) and the third sandy terrace above the Hakra River
Plain (middle Pleistocene).
2.4.3
Climate.
The
Climate of Cholistan is a hyper hot arid sandy desert type. Ecologically, it is
tropical arid sandy desert. The area is subject to wind erosion. Precipitation
is erratic and ranges from 100 to 200 mm. Mean minimum and maximum temperature
are 20o C and 40o C respectively. Mean annual precipitation
varies from less than 100mm in the West to 200mm in the East, mainly falling
during monsoon (July to September). Precipitation is very inconsistent in quantity
and duration and prolonged droughts are common once every 10 years.
Temperatures are high in summer and mild in winter with no frost.
2.4.4
Extent of Cholistan Desert
Cholistan desert consists of an area of 2,591,093.12
ha of old Bhawalpur Estate and is spread over Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and
Rahim Yar Khan Districts of Bahawalpur civil division.
2.4.5
Ecology and Vegetation.
The vegetation of Cholistan
consists of xerophytic trees, shrubs and grasses. Johnston and Hussain (1963)
characterized the Cholistan vegetation as Dichanthium-Cenchrus-Lasiurus type.
Sheikh (1986) categorized Cholistan vegetation as sand dune, desert scrub. The
three major range types found in Cholistan are Lasiurus-sindicus/Haloxylon-salicornicum;
Eleusine compressa/Haloxylon salicornicum; Haloxylon recurum/Salsola foetida and Suaeda fruticosa (Government of the Punjab, 1974).
The predominant tree species, shrubs and grasses
are as under:
a). Jand (Prosopis cineraria), Frash (Tamarix
aphylla), Wan (Salvadoraole oides),Mallah ( Zizyphus nummularia), Ber (Zizyphus jujuba), Kikar (Acacia nilotica), Kikari (Acacia jacquemontii),
b). Lana (Haloxylon saincoricum), Karir (Capparis
aphylla), Phog (Calligonum
polygonoides)
c). Dhaman (Cenchrus cilliaris), Khabbal (Cynodon
dactylon), Khawai (Cymbopogon
jwarancsa), Chhimber (Eleusine flagellifera), Murgha (Dicanthium annulatum), Lumb(Aristida depressa), Gorkha (Elionurus hirsutus)
The
main vegetation types based on floristically dominant and structurallyimportant
species are described below.
• Haloxylon-Calligonum Community.
This
is a widespread community type dominated by leafless shrubs of Haloxylonstocksii
and Calligonum polygonoides.Other associated species include Lasiurusscindicus,
Cymbopogon, jwarancusa, Suaeda fruticosa, Dipterygium glaucum, Crotalaria
burhia, etc. This type of communities generally covers flat plains with
compactsoil and saline conditions. Several species of annuals and ephemeral semerge
after rains, covering the ground but contributing very little biomass. The
shrubs have strong root systems and hold the soil together protecting the soil from
wind erosion.
• Acacia-Tamarix Community
The
Acacia nilotica and Tamarix aphylla community is found in
peripheral areas of Cholistan. Acacia nilotica is locally considered as
poor man’s teak wood forits valuable timber used for cheap furnitureand
agriculture implements. Leaves provide forage for livestock. Tamarix branch
esare used for thatching rooftops and fences around livestock enclosures. Treesal
so provide shade for resting livestock seeking shelter from strong sun. Several
species of grasses and herbs are associated with these communities like Cenchrus,
Pennisetum, Eragrostis, Fagonia, Dipterygium, Indigofera,
etc. Large hemispherical clumps of Heliotropium crispum are common in
the peripheral regions of the desert which hold soil from erosion and conserve
water.
• Prosopis-Salvadora Community
The
Prosopis cineraria and Salvadoraole oides community is generally
found in Lesser Cholistan regions where rainfall isnot less than 100mm. Prosopis
cineraria is considered as an excellent forage species with a very deep
root system, very well adapted to the desert conditions. The branches are
extensively lopped for feeding young lambs and goats not able to roam around
for forage. Generally the top shoots are left for future growth and lower branches
are cut for livestock. It also forms excellent firewood for cooking as well as charcoal
making. Salvadora oleoides is an evergreen tree with deformed trunk and a
deep root system heavily grazed by camels and goats. It is a very slow growing tree
with poor regeneration through seeds but it profusely produces suckers forming
large clumps. Sometimes only clump-forming large bushy structures are seen due
to heavy browsing; tree-like shape is rare; ripe fruits are also edible. Other
associated species include Acacianilotica, Zizyphus nummularia, Tamarixaphylla,
grass species like Lasiurus, Cymbopogon, Sporobolus, Panicum,
Cenchrus,
Aristida, etc. Some annuals associatedwith this community include Zygophyllum,
Dipterygium, Indigofera, Glinus, Fagonia,Heliotropium
etc.
• Lasiurus-Cymbopogon Community
Perennial
species of clump forming grass species like Lasiurus scindicus and Cymbo
pogonjwarancusa are developed on poorer soils on flat plains with compact
soil. This community type is generally poor in species diversity, having mainly
annual short-lived species appearing after rains. These grass species are
palatable in earliest age of growth; coarse hard old leaves are not generally
grazed. Lasiurus scindicus and Cymbopogon jwarancusaare
abundantly distributed throughout the Cholistan Desert. Scattered shrubs of Haloxylon,
Suaeda, Crotalaria,
Aerua are also sparsely found.
• Acacia-Pennisetum Community
Acacia jacquemontii and Pennisetum divisumare generally associated with dry water
courses with better soil and moisturere tention capacity. Acacia
jacquemontii isatall shrub by species with extensive branching from the
base. It is a good foragespecies and a preferred firewood shrub in the desert. Pennisetum
divisum is a tall large clump-forming grass with a good soil-binding
ability preventing soil erosion from strong winds and flash floods. This is an
excellent fodder grass relished by livestock producing green tender leaves in minimum
moisture conditions. Other associated species include species of Convolvulus,
Launnaea, Indigofera, Tribulus,Trianthema, Neurada,
etc. Severalgrass species include Ochthochloa, Panicum,Aeluropus,
Stipagrostis, Cenchrus, etc.
• Aerua-Crotalaria Community
This
community is common on poor saline soils. Usually, large shrubs and trees area sent.
Grasses like Sporobolus, Ochthochloa, and Desmostachya species
are found having stiff leaves, grazed when young. They are usually found in
interdunal saline sandy soils.
• Capparis-Suaeda Community
Capparis aphylla and Suaeda fruticosaare also widespread in poor soils with
inadequate moisture contents. Capparis aphylla, a leafless shrub,
sometimes attains tree-like form; its branches are used for thatching roof
tops. Suaeda fruticosa forms evergreen large-sized bushy dome like clumps;
leaves are reduced to scales. Vegetation is very sparse, poor in species diversity;
short-lived annual plants appear after rains for a short period.
• Leptadenia-Calotropis Community
The
Leptadenia pyrotechnica and Calotropisprocera community develops
in poor sandy soils; not palatable for livestock, it spreads in areas with
heavy grazing pressure. Leptadenia pyrotechnica is a much branched
leafless shrub not grazed by
livestock
but the branches are used for thatching roofs and fencing. Cyperus conglomerates
is a compact clump forming sedge with roots having good sand-binding
ability, found frequently on sand dunes under poor moisture conditions,
grazed
when young.
The
vegetation in Cholistan is typical of arid and semiarid climate consisting of xerophytic
species adapted to high temperatures, low humidity, moisture fluctuations and
wide variety of edaphic conditions. Compared to the hyper arid southern region,
the vegetation cover is relatively better in eastern Cholistan(200mm rainfall
zone). A wide range of nutritious and drought-tolerant plant species(128
species belonging to 33 families)of grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees occupy
this desert. Hardy species adapted to high temperature and low soil moisture includes
Lasiurus scindicus, Sporobolusiocladus, Aeluropus lagopoides andCyperus
onglomerates.
2.4.6
Range condition and Trend
In a study conducted by Akhtar and Arshad (2006) reported that some xeric plant species
do survive in Cholistan desert during severe droughts but undergo tremendous
grazing pressure leading to partial eradication; as result, the flora have been
thinning out gradually with the increasing severity of desertification. Their
report points out a downward trend in range condition of Cholistan.
2.4.7
Range improvement practices
The details of rangeland development intervention
made from the year, 1974-75 to 2011-12 are as under:-
Table 16. Detail of rangeland development interventions
in Cholistan
(1974-75 to 2011-12)
|
|||||
S.No
|
Development Works
|
Unit
|
Development
|
Non-Dev.
|
Total
|
1
|
Reseeding
of grasses
|
ha
|
1027
|
171
|
1198
|
2
|
Afforestation
works
|
ha
|
40
|
50
|
90
|
3
|
Construction
of water ponds
|
No
|
613
|
135
|
748
|
4
|
Construction
of pasture roads
|
Km
|
3627
|
1150
|
4777
|
5
|
Raising of
bed nursery
|
ha
|
25
|
-
|
25
|
6
|
Raising of
grass seed nursery
|
ha
|
14
|
-
|
14
|
7
|
Installation
of tube wells
|
No
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
8
|
Installation
of hand pumps
|
No
|
26
|
-
|
26
|
9
|
Grass tuft
planting
|
No
|
3000
|
-
|
3000
|
10
|
Tibba Planting
|
Ha
|
1336
|
-
|
1336
|
(Source: Range Management Circle Lahore, 2012)
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