Andhra Pradesh - Others   

Development tells on pastures

S. Harpal Singh

Animal Husbandry Department swings into action

WORRYING TREND: Cattle going deep into forests for grazing.

ADILABAD: Man's quest for "greener pastures'' has rendered traditional pasture lands dwindling and degraded in Adilabad district. Over the years, between 10 and 15 per cent of the naturally available grazing land the forests has shrunk or further receded, according to estimates drawn up by the Animal Husbandry Department.

"In order to encourage the cultivation of fodder in the district we are launching a pasture development programme in 67 water sheds soon. Fodder seed will be supplied to members of vana samrakshana samitis concerned and water shed committees for the purpose," said Animal Husbandry Joint Director M. Venkat Swamy.

Factors such as new housing schemes and cultivation in increased acreage in the rural areas and increasing population of cattle and other grazing animals coupled with denudation of forests have led to depletion of pastures.

Spurt in demand

In 1993 there were only 10 lakh units of grazing animals in the district. At present, their population is pegged at 13.5 lakh units. The requirement of fodder is estimated at 25 lakh tonnes per year of which the traditional pastures account for just over 15 lakh tonnes. Nearly 7 lakh hectares of the 17.23-lakh hectares forest land is considered to be traditional grazing land.

"We have enlisted the support of the District Water Management Agency and the Forest Department for propagating the idea of development of pastures starting this year. Last year, we had utilised funds from the Rashtriya Sama Vikas Yojana," said Assistant Director J.V. Chary. he development of pastures is linked to development of more nutritious and balanced diet for grazing domestic animals. "The pastures also help in arresting soil erosion," pointed out Assistant Director Devidas Deshpande.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Congress hopes for `working arrangement' with TRS
Investment of huge funds flummoxes these villagers
Development tells on pastures
Governor urges youth to emulate Ambedkar, Phule
CPI leaders make study of irrigation projects
Slum dwellers bombard Collector with complaints
ONGC extends help for renovation of tanks
`Polam Badi' launched in two mandals
TDP takes rally against Botcha

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu