Half of world’s rangelands are degraded, UN study finds: What are rangelands, why they matter

What are rangelands?

The UNCCD report defines rangelands as natural or semi-natural ecosystems that are grazed by livestock or wild animals. Rangelands contain vegetation such as grasses, shrubs, bushes, open forests, and agroforestry systems (land which contains trees and crops or pastures). The exact nature of rangelands’ vegetation is influenced by rainfall, temperature, and other climate phenomena, according to the Rangeland Atlas, prepared by a consortium of international non-profits and United Nations agencies.

Currently, rangelands cover 80 million sq km of Earth’s terrestrial surface area (over half of Earth’s land), and are thus the largest land cover or land use type in the world, the UNCCD report said. They act as carbon sinks (which absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release), storehouses of freshwater, and prevent desertification of land. Millions of people worldwide depend on rangelands for food security, and livelihoods.

“Rangelands generate 16% of global food production and 70% of feed for domesticated herbivores, most significantly in Africa and South America,” the UNCCD report stated. In India, rangelands occupy about 1.21 million sq km, from the Thar Desert to Himalayan meadows, as per the UNCCD report.

What does the UNCCD report say?

The UNCCD report found that nearly 50% of the world’s rangelands can be considered “degraded” and are facing a “silent demise”.

Climate change, unsustainable land and livestock management practices, biodiversity loss, and the conversion of rangelands to farmlands are some of the primary drivers of rangeland degradation. Uncertainty over land rights among pastoralist communities, who depend on rangelands for their livelihood, also leads to their degradation.

This, in turn, severely affects the communities dependent on rangelands as their deterioration impacts soil fertility and biodiversity, leading to a dip in incomes and rise in conflicts with authorities over grazing rights.

Who are pastoralists?

Pastoralism is a livelihood system based on livestock production, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This includes livestock rearing, dairy production, meat production, wool production, and leather production.

The communities and groups, both indigenous and non-indigenous, who are involved in livestock production are known as pastoralists. These communities rear sheeps, goats, cattle, horses, donkeys, camels, yaks, llamas, alpacas, and pigs. Some pastoralist communities also rear ducks and chickens.

Their livelihood is highly dependent on the quality of pasture (or rangelands) they have access to, and their rights over them. However, since they still remain on the margins of society, they have little say in policy-making.

Globally, an estimated 500 million pastoralists are involved in livestock production and allied occupations. In India, while there are no official figures, research and advocacy groups peg their population at around 13 million people, across 46 groups including Gujjars, Bakarwals, Rebaris, Raikas, Kurubas, and Maldharis, to name a few.

What are pastoralists’ economic contributions in India?

India is home to 20% of the world’s livestock population. Around 77% of these animals are reared in pastoralist systems, meaning they are either herded or left to range on common lands, according to the Accounting for pastoralists in India (2020) report. Pastoralists also protect indigenous livestock breeds, and protect traditional knowledge about animal rearing.

Currently, India is the largest producer of milk in the world, accounting for 23% of global dairy production. It is also the largest producer of buffalo meat and largest exporter of sheep and goat meat, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Pastoralists are a major contributor in this sector.