Overstocking in the trans-Himalayan rangelands of India

Abstract

High livestock densities in rangelands can result in reduced animal production due either to overgrazing or reduced per caput food availability, yet evidence for reduced animal production due to overstocking is scarce. Here simple animal production models establish the occurrence of overstocking in a traditional agropastoral system in the Spiti Valley of the Indian Trans-Himalaya. Empirical data show that fecundity of adult female livestock is related to total livestock biomass density (S) as a negative linear function of S. Total herd production is modelled as a quadratic function of S, thereby calculating an optimum livestock biomass density (Sop), at which total herd production is maximized. A sample of 40 villages showed that over 83% of Spiti's rangelands may be overstocked with values of S > Sop. Overstocking seems to be a classic case of the tragedy of the commons, as livestock is individually owned while the land is communally grazed. Recent socio-economic changes have probably contributed to high levels of overstocking. Even areas within wildlife reserves are overstocked. Conservation management needs to focus on creation of grazing free areas and management of livestock densities.