Rangeland Issues

The following issues are identified as most pressing for rangelands and pastures.
Overgrazing
Soil erosion
Decreasing biodiversity/increasing weeds
Reduced productivity
Lack of proper management

A study found the following conditions at pastures in MACP project areas (NLH/AKRSP et al., 2002)

Table. Summary of baseline survey of pastures at MACP sites

EPP= estimated potential productivity; CP= current productivity
Source: NLH/AKRSP, IUCN/MACP and WWF-Pakistan. 2002. Range management in Northern Areas of Pakistan. Report/Annex 28.

Therefore this study illustrates the problems and issues associated with rangelands. The condition of the surveyed pastures was poor and they were well below their potential productivity. The future trend of the pastures was also judged to be downward in terms of productivity and biodiversity. The main reason for these conditions is an increase in livestock combined with lack of controlled grazing which leads to degradation of the resource i.e., reduced biodiversity, more weeds and bare ground, soil erosion etc.