0830-B2

Deforestation Due to Grazing Pressure in India

D.P. Singh^[1]

ABSTRACT

This paper looks at deforestation in the Ranthambhore National Park (RNP) forest in Rajasthan state (India). Deforestation has been reported in the form of genetic erosion of fauna and flora, shrinkage of forest (very low canopy) low grass cover, scarcity of food, feed, fodder, fuelwood and minor forest products, and formidable threats to the quality of life and the economy of the tribes and weaker sections of society residing in and around the RNP. The human and livestock populace of 91 villages and three townships are totally dependent on forest resources for meeting their biomass requirements and thus countless species of fauna and flora are disappearing fast. Hence alternatives must be sought.

INTRODUCTION

Deforestation due to grazing pressure, cutting and four successive years of draught & famine have been reported in the form of genetic erosion of fauna and flora, shrinkage of forest, scarcity of food, feed fodder, fuel wood, minor forest products and formidable threat to quality of life and economy of all the tribes and weaker section society residing in and around the Ranthambhore National Park (RNP) of Rajasthan state in India at alarming rate.

The 392 Sq. Km. Dry deciduous RNP forest is an island of Tiger (Panthera, tigris, tigris) biological links with north Africa and western Asia lies between the latitude 25^o54¢ N To 26^o12¢ N and longitude 76^o 22¢ E TO 76^o 39¢ E the area form transition zone between the true desert and seasonally wet peninsular India. Draughts are the common occurrence. The human population of 1,67,000 and a livestock population 1,00,000 I.u. In addition to the resident livestock and estimated 20,000 I.u. of migratory herd pass through the forest in search of fodder every year. 91 village and 3 township surrounding the park are totally dependent on the forest resources for meeting their basic biomass requirement such as food, feed, fodder, timber, fuel wood, grasses, building materials, wax, gum, honey, and others. The large family size, high population growth rate (3.2% pen annum), non awareness, unemployment, low yielding cattle, traditional life style. Draught and famine resulting deforestation in the RNP.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

For various type of informations related with grazing pressure (Biotic pressure) and other biomass demands of both populace and their dependence on the Natural resources study were conducted in the surrounding 91 villages and 3 township of RNP.

FODDER DEPENDENCE: The livestock population of the area (according to the 1987 livestock census) is as given below.

Livestock Population of the study area.

*As the report of the National Committee on Fodder and Grasses, National Wasteland Development Board, Government of India (1985) has adopted, the livestock population has been converted into livestock units considering each Sheep, Goat, Donkey, Cattle (Cow and Bullocks) Horses, Camel and Buffalo as 1.0, 1.5. 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and6.0 livestock units respectively.

The minimum per capita fodder requirement as recommended by the National Committee on Fodder and Grasses (1985) for various types of livestock are as given under.

Per capita fodder requirement

Therefore, the annual fodder requirement for the area is calculated as under.

Total fodder requirement

Thus, the annual requirements of green and dry fodder respectively are about 100700 tons and 93500 tons. There are mainly two sources to meet this requirement, viz. the agricultural crop residue and the forest land that includes the core zone, buffer zone, sanctuary area, other and protected.

It was observed that agricultural crop residue is entirely being used as fodder. This would be available in the months of April/May and September/October.

Production of Agricultural Crop Residue.

Thus the total production of Agricultural Crop Residue is 85000 tons per annum. Assuming that all the agricultural crop residue is utilized for meeting the requirements of dry fodder in the area, even this leaves us with a deficit of

93500 - 85000 = 8500 tons/yr.

This leaves us with the entire green fodder requirement to be met. The weeds and grasses from the cultivated fields and field bunds also constitute a source of green fodder particularly in the monsoon season. In the irrigated areas, however, these weeds may be available all through the year.

On an average, 0.1 tons of green weeds can be collected from a ha of land annually.

Therefore, the total green weeds available in the area = 25585 ha X 0.1 tons = 2558.5 tons/yr. (Say 2500 tons). But, the green fodder requirement in the area was estimated to be 100700 tons/yr. Hence the deficit of green fodder = 100700 - 2500. = 98200 tons/yr.

Presently, this deficit is being met from the forest lands including the area covered under the National Park and other reserve forests and protected forests that are present around the area.

FUELWOOD DEPENDENCE: The population distribution of the study area is as follows.

Population distribution of study area

Therefore, the urban population = 82716.2

And the rural population = 116782.1

The average family size of the district = 5.4

Hence,

On the basis of personnel interviews it is estimated that 50% of the rural energy needs and 20% of the urban energy needs are met by fuel wood. The remaining energy of the people are met by cow dung in the rural areas and LPG and kerosene in the urban areas.

It was observed that the average weight of a head load is about 30 kgs, and an average household (5.5 adults; children being counted as 0.5 adults) consumes one head load in 5 days.

Therefore; an average family consumes 6 Kgs of fuel wood per day.

Therefore, urban consumption of fuel wood per day.

= No. of families X avg. consumption X 20%

= 15317.8 X 6 X 0.20

= 18381.36 Kgs.

Rural consumption of fuel wood per day

= No. of families X avg. consumption X 50%

= 21626.3 X 6 X 0.50

= 64878.90 Kgs.

Total consumption of fuel wood per day = 83260.26 Kgs

Therefore,

It was to be noted at this juncture that this fuel wood is being collected/procured from the areas of the national park, and other forest areas, surrounding the park.

RESULT

Various type of valuable information were noted in this study which alarm the over exploitation of the forest recourses and resulting deforestation.

The human population subsists on agriculture with livestock husbandry as a supplement. The average family size, land holding and cattle population holding is 6 persons per house hold (Phh), 2 hectare/hh and 4.08 I.u./hh. Poverty is directly related to the dependence on natural resource. Forest utilization by the peoples is determined by the availability of time and forest resources as governed by the seasonal climate rhythms.

(A) THE AVERAGE WEIGHT OF FOREST PRODUCTS HEAD LOADS PER DAY WERE FOLLOWS:

(B) MEAN PERCENTAGE OF HEAD LOADS AT ENTRY/EXIT POINT OF FOREST:

WINTER

MONSOON

The forest fodder in the diet of cattle was recorded highest 44% in monsoon, 43% in winter and 19% in summer.

(C) MEAN PERCENTAGE OF FOREST FODDER AND OTHER FODDER IN THE DIET OF LIVESTOCK:

(D) MEAN PERCENTAGE OF FOREST FODDER AND OTHER FOODER IN THE DIET OF CATTLE:

The canopy cover is very low (x^~ =23%) because of excessive lopping intensity was found to be 46% out of total tree in a hectare 91% are either lopped, pollarded or cut out of the total tree 83% belonged to anogeissus - pendula. Due to excessive grazing less grass cover (x^~=28%) observed which has resulted in the completion of soil in the area. Buffer zone calls for immediate protection.

(E) MEAN PERCENTAGE OF ENERGY RESOURCES CONSUMPTION IN A HOUSE HOLD:

(F) PERCENTAGE OF WILD LIFE AND LIVESTOCK DUNGS IN A HACTARE OF FOREST LAND (GRAZING PRESSURE ON FOREST LAND):

(G) PERCENTAGE OF LIVESTOCK AND WILD LIFE DUNGS IN A HACTARE IN THE BUFFER ZONE OF RNP:

These data reviles that the grazing pressure of livestock population is increasing day by day and resulting genetic erosion and ecological hazard in the RNP.

DISCUSSION

The rapidly increasing population of human and livestock as well as four successive years of draught and famine have created enormous grazing and biotic pressure on the RNP forest. Countless species of flora and fauna are thus disappearing faster rate than ever in the history of Ranthambhore forest. This paper based on the recognition of a single principle "If the populace living near the fringes of forest are unable to meet their biomass demands, no amount stringent policing can prevent them from encroachment upon the forest. Hence, alternative has to be provided.

To reduce the biotic pressure socio eco development program should be started to generate the employment of human and alternative food for man and feed and fodder for livestock. Various type of program should also be started such as genetic upgrading of local livestock through exotic germ-plasm by artificial insemination, castration of use less bull, fodder development, dairy development, poultry farming, education, alternative non wood energy, agro forestry aforestation, health and family planning and to generate the employment for local people in the form of new products by waste forests plant and other biomass in modern era like charcoal, activated carbon, organic acid, acetic acid, methanol, wax, honey, and gum training should be given to the tribes and other weaker section society residing in and around the RNP.

FRAME WORK & RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SILVI-PASTORAL MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

For better management of livestock and forest following recommendations are suggested.

1. Genetic upgrading programme of scrub cattle and buffaloes.

Livestock management is a difficult problem because of the religious Taboos associated with the holy cow and slaughter of unproductive and useless cattle are totally prohibited in this state. The percentage of scrub cattle and buffaloes are very high in Ranthambhore surrounding area, 80% of livestock population being non productive.

With the help of World Bank Scheme the cross breeding programmes are inititated through artificial insemination using exotic breed semen. This is a difficult and complicated process but cross bred cattle and buffaloes will result in better milk production. The stall feding of high milk producing animals may reduce the pressure on park.

2. Quarantine, control on migratory livestocks and rotational grazing

i) To stop migratory livestock, free movements should be discouraged. The present lacunae in verifying vaccination will be overcome by making cattle vaccination.

ii) In consultation with Animal Husbandry Department, different brand marks should be evolved to denote different types of vaccination and branding will be obligatory, no migratory livestock should be allowed to pass through the Sanctuary without having been duly vaccinated and branded.

iii) To enable this, herds should be quarantined at the entry point for the minimum period of 72 hours. It would also give adequate time for proper vaccination.

iv) There is an immediate need for intensive management and making the grazing unit smaller in size. Rotational grazing needs to be introduced. Certain area need to be specifically set apart for wildlife. No grazing will be permitted.

v) Co-operative societies should be established in the surrounding area of the Tiger Reserve to arrange financial help to the needy farmers for purchasing high milking stall-fed crossbred livestocks and necessary inputs such as feed and fodder.

3. Eco-development Programme

The eco-development programme aims at efficient use of the buffer area through silvi-pastoral developments, thereby meeting at least a part of the fuel wood and fodder requirements. Various types of shrubs and grasses should be developed in the buffer zone of the park.

SHURBS AND GRASSES SUGGESTED FOR VEGETATIVE BUNDING

SHURBS

4. USE OF PROSOPIS JULIFLORA PLANTS

The scientists of various countries such as Brazil & Peru has generated employment for their peoples residing in & around the forest in a new modern era by the utilization of waste forest plants such as Prosopis juliflora a desert plant for alternative food from seeds for human and unconventional feed & fodder for livestock population as well as charcoal, activated, organic - acid, acetic acid & methanol, honey, gum & wax. To generate the extra income such type of training programme should be started in the area, which will help in reducing the biotic pressure on the buffer zone of the park.

5. Other Programms like AGGROFORESTRY, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, BIO-GASS, EDUCATION, AFFORESTATION, AWARENESS OF FOREST, HEALTH & PLANING PROGRAMME SHOULD BE STARTED FOR THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF FOREST LIVESTOCK AND HUMAN RESIDING ARROUND THE PARK.

CONCLUSION

This paper alarm that the status of flora and fauna is not safe in RNP. We can rebuilt every man made things but once a species of fauna and flora has gone form this planet we can never get it back. So all the integrated - traditional, eco development program should be started in the financial cooperation and technical coordination of developed and developing nations for the bright future of forest, wild life, human and livestock in this millennium.

REFERENCE

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Singh.D.P. 1995. Conservation and management of RNP - India.

Singh.D.P. 1994. The effect of livestock pressure damaging wild animals in terms of fatality in and around the RNP India.

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Singh.D.P. 1998. Conservation of migratory and non migratory raptor species in India - A case study. Proc. 3^rd International raptor biomedical conference, park view, south Africa, 4-11 august,1998.

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