Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part II : Actionable points for the WGEA : Issues of Concern : Plant diversity of the Western Ghats and livestock rearing

Opinion
       22/11/2018
                1560.

Sub : Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part II : Actionable points for the WGEA : Issues of Concern : Plant diversity of the Western Ghats and livestock rearing

Ref : Issues of Concern :

1. Plant diversity of the Western Ghats and livestock rearing

The rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats (plants and crops) has been a major source of fodder, medicinal plants and crop residues. Adivasi communities and the local communities living in the forest and hilly areas are those who were conserving livestock breeds with specific traits suitable to local environments and local production systems. The adivasi communities are mostly dependent on forest herbs for treating their animals and these communities possess a huge wealth of traditional healing knowledge which is being passed on from generation to generation (e.g. Bedekampaliga, Soliga, Kani, Muluvakuruvar, and Katunayaka communities).

The local breeds of livestock reared in these areas were well adapted to the local topographic and environmental conditions. The introduction of exotic crossbreeds has disturbed the entire production systems and the traditional knowledge on feeding and healing is being eroded. The crossbreeds require more concentrates and roughage than the indigenous breeds and are often attacked by contagious diseases. Thus the cost of feeding and management of livestock has increased and has become a burden for livestock keepers.

2. Grazing issues in the Western Ghats :

The traditional pattern of animal rearing in the Western Ghats areas consists of keeping herds of indigenous cattle which depend totally on community and forest grazing land.
One of the major challenges being faced by the cattle keepers in recent years is the conversion of grasslands and degraded lands for various plantations, e.g. biofuel plantations, and other activities under government programmes thereby reducing the grazing land.

The increased population and the rapid decline of forest and community grazing lands compelled the farmers to switch over to smaller animals like goats which has aggravated the damage to already diminished grazing lands since goats are aggressive browsers.

The shift or change in agricultural practices such as raising more cash crops compared to food crops in turn has also affected quality fodder production.

The uncontrolled usage of weedicides in cash crops has caused the naturally available grass varieties to perish and has thus made the recommended practice of stall feeding difficult.

The decision by tea estate managements not to allow their labourers to rear cattle in the uncultivated areas of the estates has also made cattle keeping unattractive.

The strict policy of the Forest Department of Tamil Nadu which has imposed a total ban on grazing of goats inside the forests, although well intended for the conservation of forests, has thrown a difficult challenge to goat farming. Alternative sources may have to be worked out so that the local communities dependent on goat farming will not be affected.

3. Measures for Mitigation/Improvement :

I.Sustainable strategy of livestock development for the Western Ghats :

i. Animal breeds and their selection :

Since the milk production status of indigenous animals will not fall within the economically profitable range, support needs to be given to farmers willing to keep indigenous cattle. A special priced marketing system for their organic products should be established, and financial assistance for conserving an indigenous species is to be provided. Financial assistance should be determined according to the degree of ecological richness that they bring back to the area. Only those breeds which can withstand the adverse agro-climatic conditions must be encouraged in these areas. Such protection of indigenous locally adapted breeds has great significance in the context of climate change since depending on climate shifts suitably adapted breeds will be available across the Western Ghats spectrum. If farmers cannot afford to keep exotics or crossbreds, these must not be introduced as they only lay further stress on the farmers and their households. There are groups working on the improvement of indigenous cattle in this region. Recognise and support such groups for the sustainable development of animal husbandry in the Western Ghats.

NEXT : Animal nutrition – Feeding and grazing : Improving the fodder and vegetation resources

To be continued

JAIHIND
VANDE MATARAM

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