1. Regional Rangeland
Programme:
Developing an integrated mechanism
for combating rangeland desertification
in Hindu Kush Himalayan region
UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference Bonn 9-12th
April 2013
Muhammad Ismail
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
Kathmandu, Nepal

2. Outline
• Background of Rangeland area of Hindu
Kush Himalayas
• Regional Rangeland Programme (1995-
2012) of International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development
• Case study from China

3. RANGELANDS IN THE HINDU
KUSH-HIMALAYAS (HKH)
Over 60% of the territorial but
heterogeneous ecosystems are
rangelands which provide services for
millions of wildlife and domestic
animals
These rangeland resources are of
great ecological, economic and
cultural values.

4. Regional Rangeland
Programme (RRP): 1995-
2012
Goal
To help reduce and alleviate poverty among
rangeland dependent mountain people and
to improve the productivity of rangeland
ecosystems in the HKH region
 Initiated in 1995 and by 2012 completed its
three phases
 Implemented in six countries

5. RRP Sites

6. RRP: Phases & Activities

7. A Case Study from Ruoergai
County, Upper Yellow River, China
Issues:
1. With
the ever-increasing population of
human being as well as of livestock, the
grasslands are degraded because of
overstocking of the grazing animals.

8. Issues cont…
2. The total degraded area of the county is
70%; the degraded grassland due to
overgrazing by livestock is 20%, while that
by rodent is 50%.

9. Issues cont…
3.The natural disasters occur frequently such
as heavy snow, frost, etc, causing mass
mortality of yak which bring huge economy
loss to the herders.

10. Issues cont…
4. Rapid desertification of grassland

11. Approaches
• Co-management of
Rangelands

12. Approaches
Success in sandy grassland management
in Maixi Township of Ruoergai County with
the support of rangeland co-management

13. Rangeland fencing

14. The desert and wetland
restoration
（ 1 ） Grazing control, rodent and pest management
（ 2 ） Rehabilitation through planting of trees, shrubs
and grasses
（ 3 ） Closure of ditches, restoring the wetland.
Investment criteria: $550-650 / ha.

15. Effect
Ecological effect:
The vegetation coverage in the project area increased by
17.1%, vegetation height increased by 51.8%, while the fresh
forage yield increased by 49.9%.Vegetation restoration
effectively enhanced the grassland soil and water conservation;
windbreak and fixation ability plays a very important role in
controlling grassland degradation

16. Economic effect
The livestock slaughter
rate increased by 1.2%,
while the net income per
person increased more
than $30 annually.

17. Recommendations
• Clear rangeland entitlements and responsibilities
• Promote community participation to combat
degradation and desertification
• Encourage adaptive grazing management
• Improve rangeland productivity
• Identify alternative energy and livelihood options
• Education, training and research on rangeland
management
• Co- management of rangelands for multiple
purposes

18. Thank you all..