Track 1-1-1: Global Database on Availability, Productivity and Composition of Grasslands, Forests and Protected Areas
Description
Telangana state is gifted with rich livestock resources; 50.3 lakh cattle, 41.9 lakh buffaloes, 128.7 lakh sheep and 46.7 lakh goats ( Livestock census, 2012).The district of Mahboobnagar in this newly formed State is known for its huge cattle, sheep and goat population. The district ranks first in sheep (37, 30,689) and goat (6, 87,066) population among all districts of state, though ranks second and sixth in cattle and buffalo population, respectively (Live stock census, 2012). The most common sources of fodder to feed these livestock are crop residues (68%), forages from common property resources (CPRs) like forests, pastures and grazing lands (25%), cultivated fodders (3%) and other feeds such as concentrates etc contributes 4%. Though the area under fodder crops is significantly high in this district (24,153 ha), there is a wide gap between the demand and supply. The cultivated forage crops are fed inevitable to cattle while sheep and goat are often fed exclusively by grazing. Owing to < 700 mm annual rainfall and aberrations in climate, the area under natural pastures and grasslands is shrinking; is just 17,560 ha population (LUP Report, 201314) which seldom supports huge sheep and goat. There is a need to identify and evaluate these grasslands for forage quality as these are the only source of fodder for sheep and goat in the district. Hence, a survey had been taken up to document the various plant species under grasslands along with nutritional evaluation.
Included in
Evaluation of Grasslands of Mahboobnagar District, Telangana State
Telangana state is gifted with rich livestock resources; 50.3 lakh cattle, 41.9 lakh buffaloes, 128.7 lakh sheep and 46.7 lakh goats ( Livestock census, 2012).The district of Mahboobnagar in this newly formed State is known for its huge cattle, sheep and goat population. The district ranks first in sheep (37, 30,689) and goat (6, 87,066) population among all districts of state, though ranks second and sixth in cattle and buffalo population, respectively (Live stock census, 2012). The most common sources of fodder to feed these livestock are crop residues (68%), forages from common property resources (CPRs) like forests, pastures and grazing lands (25%), cultivated fodders (3%) and other feeds such as concentrates etc contributes 4%. Though the area under fodder crops is significantly high in this district (24,153 ha), there is a wide gap between the demand and supply. The cultivated forage crops are fed inevitable to cattle while sheep and goat are often fed exclusively by grazing. Owing to < 700 mm annual rainfall and aberrations in climate, the area under natural pastures and grasslands is shrinking; is just 17,560 ha population (LUP Report, 201314) which seldom supports huge sheep and goat. There is a need to identify and evaluate these grasslands for forage quality as these are the only source of fodder for sheep and goat in the district. Hence, a survey had been taken up to document the various plant species under grasslands along with nutritional evaluation.
