Types and extent
Alpine Pastures
Alpine pastures are found above 3500 m (11,550 ft) in Gilgit, Skardu and Diamer districts of the Northern Areas and occupy 1.68 million ha (Khan, 2003). They are characterized by short, cool growing seasons and long, cold winters. Vegetation mainly consists of perennial, herbaceous plants and shrubs along with mosses and lichens. Animals graze these pastures after snow melt. These pastures are located in fragile ecosystems and the grazing pressure affects biodiversity and productivity (NLH/AKRSP, 2002). The following table shows the forage production in alpine pastures.

Table Forage production from various range types in alpine and sub alpine zone

DM= Dry matter

In this class, there are sub-divisions of alpine meadows and alpine forests. The former contain luxuriant ground flora but trees are usually absent. They are used for livestock grazing. Alpine forests (kail/fir) are used for grazing, crop growing and forestry. The following sections list the native vegetation of alpine pastures.

Shrubs: Juniperus communis, Rosa webbiana, Berberis lycium, Berberis spp.

Grasses: Phleum alpinum, Agrostist gigantean, Trisetum spp. Agropyrom dentatum, Agropyron caninum, Fesruca alpoecurus gigantean, Dactylis glomerata ,Pennisetum lanatum, P. filaccidum, Clamagrostis pseudopharg mites, Oryzopsis spp,

Forbs: Plantago ovata, Plantago major, P. lanceolata, Trifolium pratense, T. repenns, Fragaria wesca, Medicage spp, Potentilla spp. Rumex nepalensis, Polygonum alpinum, Anaphalis conttorta, Thymus serphyllum, Astagalus spp, Traaxicum officinalis, Iris hookriana, Nepata spicata, Saxifraga iacquemon tiana.

Medicinal Plants: Aconitum heterophyllum, Acnitum chasmanthum, A. leave, Saussurea lappa, Rehum emodii and Podophyllum hexandrum

Trans-Himalayan Grazing Land
Khan (2003) describes these grazing lands as located on the mountains of Gilgit, Chilas and Skardu districts. The altitude varies from 1500 m to 8600 m and includes 19 peaks over 7000 m (21,000 ft) such as K2, Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi. The area has rugged, steep slopes and narrow valleys, with naturally high erosion rates. The terrain is unstable with frequent landslides and rock falls.

The climate of the area is high altitude desert climate with very cold winters and hot dry summers. Lower altitude (below 2300 m, 7590 ft) experience marked diurnal as well as seasonal variation and little precipitation. The areas between 2300 to 3300 m receive snow and have a temperate climate whereas areas above 3300 m (10,890 ft) are very cold with a limiting growing season. Most of the area lies outside of the summer monsoons. Average rainfall in the valley is 100-300 mm (4-12 in) mostly during winter and early spring.

The major land use in this area consists of crop cultivation, livestock rearing and forestry. Maize, rice, wheat, and barely are the principal crops. Double cropping is practiced up to 2,300 m but single short duration crops are grown above that. Apricots and mulberries are important cash crops in this area. Heavy livestock grazing goes on in these areas. Even though these pastures are in good condition, severe climate limits the growth period. Low lying ranges are in fair to good condition. According to physiological surveys of Ahmad and Qadir (1976) in Gilgit and Gupis the following plants are found in these areas:

Tree/Shrubs: Juniperus macropoda, Quercus ilex, Pinus gerardiana, Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, Fraxinus xanthoxyloides, Artemisia, A. Sacrorum, Indigofera spp. Ephedra, Daphne oleoides, Sophora spp, Cotoneaster spp, Parrotia jacqemontiana, Salix spp, Jasminum spp, Sorbaria tomentosa, Caragana spp.

Grasses: Chrysopogon spp, Cymbopogon spp, Dichanthium annulatum, Pennisetum orientale, Aristida spp, Oryzopsis spp, Dactylis glomerata, Poa spp, Bromus inermis, Agropyron dentatum, A. caninum, Agrostis spp, Rottboellia exaltata, Phacelurus speciosus, Eragraostis spp.

Forbs: Iris spp, Tulips spp, Polygonum spp, Sambucus ebulus, Lotus comiculatus, Medicago spp, Plantago lanceolata, Lathyrus spp, Thgum maritime, Nepata spicata, Viola spp, Taraxicum officinalis, Ferns.

Medicinal Plants: Ephedra nebrodensis, Artemisia maritima, Carum bullbocastanum, Thymus and Ferula, Juglans regia, Pinus gerardiana, Zizyphus sativa.