Outstanding Features

The Korangadu silvo-pastoral system exists in more than 500 villages in a contiguous area of about 50,000 ha in laterite red soil area in the semiarid tract of Erode, Coimbatore, Karur, Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu.

The grassland is conveniently divided into paddocks of 2 –4.5 ha owned by individual farmers, although very large paddocks also exist. The paddocks are fenced with straight rows of live hedge of “mullukiluvai” (Commiphora berryi), a thorny drought resistant shrub.

The average human population density is 256 persons per km² and a majority of them is dependent on livestock to earn their livelihood. There are three distinct seasons, of which the hot summer months (Feb.-May) receive 20% of the total precipitation followed by the South–west monsoon (June –Sept., 30%) and North–east monsoon (Oct. –Jan., 50%). Droughts occur frequently in the region.

The live fence of Commiphora berryi has width of 0.6 – 0.75 m and height 1.5 m. In many paddocks a shallow trench is dug up along the fence to conserve moisture and maintain the vitality and vigour of the fence. The fence also has the occasional presence of Azadirachta indica and Albizia qmara to provide support to the fence. The paddocks consist of following species:

Trees: Acacia leucophloea (predominant), Albizia amara, Azadirachta indica, Moringa sp.

Shrubs: Commiphora berryii (“mullukiluvai” predominant live fence), Agave americana

Grasses, herbs: Cenchrus ciliaris (predominant), Vennampul (Trachys muricata), Ottanpul (Seltaria verniculata), Kurutupul (Chloris barbata), Cholapul (Chrysopogon montanus), Cynodon dactylon, Moongil pul, Seegampul, Dadara (Borreria hispida), Hariali (Cynodon dactylon)

Legumes: Phaseolus trilobus, Trychosanthes tricuspidata, Seppunerinji (Indigofera enneaphylla)

Korangadu grassland witnesses two flushes of flash growth, the major one in September and the minor one in May-June. The dominant species in the grassland is Cenchrus which has a tussock density of 18-25 per m². Reseeding with seeds of Cenchrus is done to boost the forage yield in subsequent years.

The seeds of annuals are not sown annually but are sown once on land that is newly converted into Korangadu. The paddocks are interspersed with 42-50 Acacia trees/ha, which, besides supplying pods (crude protein 14.86%) for feeding and other multipurpose use, provide shade to the animals at mid-day.

Recycling of nutrients through animal droppings occurs; external application of fertilizer on the grassland is unheard of. In many areas, progressive farmers plough the field alternate years and sow them with seeds of Phaseolus trilobus, a crop which provides a very nutritious feed. The excess fodder is harvested and stored while still green.

Animals are withheld from the pasture for one month after rain in May and September to let the pasture come up well. From mid June to mid September and from October to January the animals remain on the pasture alone, they are not provided with any supplementary feed but rotated between different paddocks according to fodder availability. A paddock usually has 1 or 2 cattle / buffalo and 25-30 sheep. Farmers construct water troughs in the individual plots for providing drinking water for the animals.

The farmers in the Korangadu pasture land are maintaining different native breeds of cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats. “Kangeyam” is a reputed draught breed of cattle in India, which was developed by crossing the native cattle with “Amrithmahal” and “Hilari” type of cattle from Mysore in a systematic breeding effort by the Pattagar family of Palayamkottai (Nallathambi Sarkarai Mandradiar) during the 1900's in Kangeyam village. Later on, the breed became popular and is now maintained by farmers in Kangeyam, Dharapuram, Vellakoil, Kangeyam Thirupur, Palani, Karur, Perunthurai and Aravakurichi areas of Tamil Nadu. The farmers mostly belong to the “Gounder'' community. During earlier days, this breed was used for draught purpose to draw water from open wells and for ploughing dry land. Presently, Kangeyam cattle are used for ploughing and transporting agricultural produce through bullock cart. The communities also maintain sheep and goats.

With the spread of dairy co-operatives, the livelihood of the farmers has become closely associated with dairy animals. Kangeyam cows produce a low yield of milk; for this reason they are now invariably crossed with jerseys in order to get a greater milk yield. The cows are worshipped at the time of giving birth to young ones. Cattle shandy (Mattuthavany) is held once annually in Kannapuram village. It coincides with the “Temple car Festival” (Therthiruvila of Mariamman Temple) on Chithrapournami day (Full moon day of ‘Chithirai' of Tamil month).

The sound management practices of the Korangadu silvo-pastoral system, including some ethnoveteriary practices, are rooted in and based on the indigenous knowledge system.

Goods and Services Provided

Korangadu pasture land provides grazing land for free grazing of livestock maintained by farmers and landless people. Four hectares of Korangadu grass land is sufficient to maintain 2 adult cows plus 4 calves or 40 sheep or 6 buffaloes or 20 goats. The animals do not have infertility problems if grazed in Korangadu pastureland. The dairy animals provide income to farmers through moderate milk yield. These communities are also maintaining sheep and goats and earn income by selling them.

The leaves and pods of Albizia amara serve a natural conditioner for the hair while taking a bath. In Edayakottai village, Moringa trees and Agave americana are used as live hedges, and provide additional revenue to the farmers.

The agro-ecosystem of Korangadu retains soil fertility, moisture, micro climate and self-propagates indigenous fodder grasses and legumes for livestock. It conserves moisture in the soil and maintains soil humus and fertility without chemical inputs. Animal dung and urine added to the land nourishes soil fauna and flora. Medicinal plants found in the hedges are useful for home remedies. The system also preserves the ground water table in the dry land tract.

The traditional grassland system provides income security to the local livestock keepers and conserves domestic animal biodiversity. The Korangadu tract is known for the conservation of “Kangeyam”, “Pulikulam” and “Malaimadu” cattle breeds, local breeds of buffalo, “Kurumbai” sheep, “Mayilambadi” sheep and native goats. It also conserves preserves local culture and life style of the livestock keepers.

Threats and Challenges

Without understanding the fragile ecosystem with its very low groundwater table, many farmers are converting Korangadu lands into mono-croppings of cotton, maize, horticultural species etc., put deep bore wells (exceeding 300 meters) and establish industrial units.

Younger generations are no longer interested in maintaining pure breeds of cattle. However, some youth are using their pasturelands for rearing sheep and cross-bred milk animals.

So far traditional grassland systems have not been incorporated into the mainstream watershed development programme. The announcement of a land ceiling by the government has discouraged farmers from keeping large areas of grazing land. The pastureland development in private farm lands is crucial for sustaining the cattle breed. There is no longer a calf-rearing scheme for providing young “Kangeyam” breed calves at subsidized rates. The animal husbandry department has withdrawn this program, which was implemented in earlier years.

Other threats are continuous failure of monsoon for 2–3 years which leads to drying of the live fence. This in turn facilitates invading of other animals into the pasture land. There is also water scarcity caused by frequent droughts. A parasite known as “Thangakodi” (Striga lutea) inhibits the growth of grass and leguminous plants. Severe infestation of “Thangakodi” causes reduction in the yield of grasses and legumes which results in great loss to the owners.

Policy and Development Relevance

The development of private paddocks in Korangadu pastureland is crucial in sustaining the low input livestock production while conserving indigenous animal breeds. If Korangadu pasture land is promoted, it can provide income security to resource poor families while at the same time enhancing the conservation of local livestock breeds. The local tenure system encourages landless families to access grasslands which in turn sustain their livestock keeping and pastoral life.

Awareness needs to be generated at local, regional, national and international level for initiating or replicating such time tested models in main stream development. Local technology bench marking needs to be documented and analyzed scientifically in order to convince the policy makers for a favourable negotiation towards preservation and promotion of traditional grassland systems.

In order not to loose this global heritage it is necessary to document indigenous knowledge system of traditional grassland management practices, livestock management, ethnoveterinary practices in the villages of Korangadu pastureland in Tamil Nadu state.

Global Importance

Korangadu pastureland is a good example of how a combination of grasses, legumes and trees has been well managed to maintain the health of a great diversity of livestock which has been the basis for people's livelihood in the region. The unique animal breeds and the indigenous knowledge about how to keep them and about managing of the grassland are a valuable heritage that needs to be preserved.

See also:

Project proposal