Urgent Crisis of Rangeland Degradation: A Global Insight

Understanding Rangeland Degradation

A recent report by the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD) sheds light on the critical degradation of rangelands worldwide. These vital ecosystems, essential for both livestock and wildlife, encompass over half of the Earth's terrestrial area, including approximately 1.21 million square kilometers in India.

Key Findings

• Extent of Degradation: Nearly 50% of global rangelands are now deemed "degraded," facing what is termed a "silent demise."
• Importance of Rangelands: They act as significant carbon sinks, freshwater reservoirs, and play a crucial role in preventing desertification, thus supporting food security and livelihoods for millions.
• Impact on Soil and Biodiversity: Unsustainable land and livestock management practices, alongside the conversion of rangelands to farmland, threaten these ecosystems. This leads to poor soil fertility and a decline in biodiversity, adversely affecting the incomes of pastoral communities.

What are Rangelands?

Rangelands are defined as natural or semi-natural ecosystems that provide grazing for livestock and wild animals. Depending on climatic conditions, they host a variety of vegetation types, including grasses, shrubs, and open forests.

Rangelands in India

In India, rangelands cover about 1.21 million square kilometers and are distributed across several regions, such as:

• Thar Desert
• Himalayan meadows
• Grasslands and savannas in central and southern India

Importance of Rangelands

• Carbon Sinks: Rangelands sequester more carbon than they release, aiding in climate change mitigation.
• Water Storage: They serve as essential reservoirs of freshwater, beneficial for both ecosystems and human use.
• Preventing Desertification: Rangelands play a vital role in maintaining soil stability, thus helping to prevent desertification.
• Food Security and Livelihoods: Millions rely on rangelands for food security, especially pastoral communities engaged in livestock rearing.
• Biodiversity: These ecosystems support a diverse array of flora and fauna, contributing significantly to global biodiversity.

Pastoral Communities

Pastoralism is a livelihood system centered around livestock production. Pastoral communities rear various animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, and camels, for milk, meat, wool, and leather. Their livelihoods are intricately linked to the quality of rangelands and their rights to access these areas.

Impact of Degradation

The degradation of rangelands severely impacts the livelihoods of pastoral communities, reduces soil fertility, and diminishes biodiversity. This degradation not only threatens food security but also exacerbates the adverse effects of climate change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the main causes of rangeland degradation?
Answer: Major causes include unsustainable land management, conversion of rangelands to agriculture, and conflicts over land rights, leading to reduced soil fertility and biodiversity loss.

Q2. How do rangelands contribute to climate change mitigation?
Answer: Rangelands act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus helping to mitigate climate change impacts while supporting biodiversity.

Q3. Why are rangelands important for food security?
Answer: Rangelands provide grazing grounds for livestock, a primary source of food and income for pastoral communities, ensuring food security for millions of people globally.

Q4. What role do pastoral communities play in rangeland management?
Answer: Pastoral communities are essential for sustainable rangeland management as they utilize traditional knowledge to maintain ecosystem health and biodiversity.

Q5. How can we prevent rangeland degradation?
Answer: Implementing sustainable land management practices, enhancing policy frameworks, and securing land rights for pastoral communities are critical to preventing rangeland degradation.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What percentage of the world's rangelands are classified as degraded?
A) 25%
B) 50%
C) 75%
D) 10%
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which of the following is a major function of rangelands?
A) Urban development
B) Carbon sequestration
C) Industrial agriculture
D) Deforestation
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: What is the main livelihood of pastoral communities?
A) Agriculture
B) Fishing
C) Livestock rearing
D) Mining
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: Which region in India has significant rangelands?
A) Ganges Delta
B) Thar Desert
C) Western Ghats
D) Himalayan foothills
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: What is a major consequence of rangeland degradation?
A) Increased biodiversity
B) Improved soil fertility
C) Threatened food security
D) Enhanced water storage
Correct Answer: C