DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Balochistan, being the largest province of Pakistan area wise, constitutes 44% of total land mass of the country. It is characterised with fickle and unreliable rainfall, skeletal soil which induces high rate of albedo, and desiccating winds which all in combination, adversely affect the plant built-up. Adding to the woes, whatever meager plant cover is available that is also depleting rapidly. The depletion is being caused mainly by an absolute lack of grazing management by the flock owners and by the extraction of shrubs and bushes for fuel. Valuable grasses like Washta/Hadden (Stipa pennata), and Granang/Rangai (Enneapogon persicum) have almost vanished. These were the important palatable perennial grasses representing the climax of range ecosystem in highland Balochistan. Now, these have been replaced by Saba/Kaj (Chrysopogon aucheri), a sub-climax stage in deterioration of the original cover (Johnston and Hussain, 1963). However, for practical purposes, Chrysopogon may be considered the best cover presently attainable. Because of low forage production, the health of livestock that makes use of this vegetation is also impaired and they are sold at low prices. Consequently, the livestock producer does not get adequate economic return. So, the rangelands are a valuable natural resource and need to be managed properly to get sustained maximum forage and ensure plant cover to halt soil erosion and further loss of primary productivity.