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Pastures under pressure: restoration of high-altitude rangelands in Bhutan and Nepal
Author
Srijana Joshi
Yi Shaoliang
Kesang Wangchuk
Tashi Dorji
Ramesh Timilsina
Rajesh K Rai
Publisher
XII International Rangeland Congress
Publication Year
2025
Body

Rangeland s comprising 60% of the land area in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), are predominantly managed under pastoral production systems. The high-altitude rangelands provide critical nature-based solutions to societal challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and food security. Mountain pastoralism, characterized by the seasonal migration of livestock between different elevation pastures, significantly contributes to the economy, food and water security, nutrition, health, cultural identity, indigenous knowledge systems, and biodiversity. In mountainous countries like Nepal and Bhutan, mountain pastoralism also alleviates pressure on lowland areas where land and resources are scarce. However, over the past few decades, government restrictions on traditional pasture management practices, such as cutting and burning, have led to alpine pastures being overtaken by shrubs, significantly reducing forage quality and availability. Additionally, these pastures face severe impacts from erosion, scree flows due to melting glaciers, permafrost thaw, and intense rainfall. Transitional and winter grazing areas suffer from overuse, erosion, and invasion by unpalatable plants, resulting in poor fodder production. Shrub invasion by Rhododendron lepidotum and Berberis spp and land erosion is further diminishing the availability of high-value medicinal plants and herbs, while critical water sources are also drying up for wildlife, livestock, and herders. This degradation is negatively affecting the biodiversity and ecosystem services, leading to the unprofitability of pastoralism, youth out-migration from mountain regions, and the erosion of traditional pastoral cultures. To address these issues, we are piloting rangeland restoration projects in Tseko, Bhutan, and Shailung, Nepal. These projects employ a combination of methods, including prescribed burning, cutting, thinning, uprooting of weeds such as Rumex nepalensis and water management. Through these efforts, we aim to restore and sustainably manage rangeland resources, thereby enhancing ecosystem services, improving pastoral livelihoods, and preserving cultural heritage.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Additional Information
This paper is part of the larger XII International Rangelands Congress Proceedings. Page Numbers: 737-741. Theme: Theme 4 / Ameliorating rangeland soil health
ISSN
978-0-646-72121-7
Conference Name
International Rangeland Congress
Collection
International Rangelands Congress
Keywords
High altitude pasture
restoration
Rumex nepalensis
shrub encroachment
weeds