Free range grazing in India: Present status and policy suggestions

Abstract

The range grazing is the cheapest way to feed the livestock, especially the small ruminants. It provides house hold security to pastoral as well as a large number of farming families through livestock gains. The government policies have a great influencing factor in livestock farmers’ choice towards free range grazing and or managed feeding. The analysis of the present scenario of free range grazing in India, livestock-environment interaction, technological options (including scientific grazing management); suggest that there is an urgent need for proper enabling policies and guidelines at government of India as well as state government levels. Such measures will lead to better utilization of the available natural resources and its further improvement to meet the objectives of livelihood security of the pastoralists and a large number of farmers with environmental amelioration.