RANGELANDS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR: EXTENT AND POTENTIAL FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION SUHEEL AHMAD*, J P SINGH*, P A KHAN** and RESHI RAMEEZ** *ICAR-Indian Grassland & Fodder Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Srinagar (J & K) – 190 005 ** Faculty of Forestry, Shere Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benihama-Watlar, Ganderbal (J & K) 11th JK Science Congress, University of Kashmir, 12-14th October, 2015 INTRODUCTION. Jammu and Kashmir comprises three main physical regions viz. outer Himalayas facing with sub-tropical and intermediate type of climate (Jammu region), lesser Himalayas or temperate zone (Kashmir region) and inner Himalayas or cold arid zone (Ladakh region). The livestock production system is mainly extensive in Jammu and semi intensive in Kashmir and Ladakh regions although extensive farming is practised for Changthangi pashmina goat in Ladakh. Rangelands, according to the Society of Rangeland Management, are the lands on which the native vegetation-predominanatly grasses and grass like plants, forage or shrubs- is suitable for use by grazing and browsing. Rangelands mostly comprise sub-alpine and alpine pastures, forest openings and the demarcated forests. Rangeland resources display a diverse assortment of plant communities, wildlife species, and various distinct cultural groups. It is estimated that average global temperatures will be 2ºC higher than pre-industrial levels by 2035-2050. In the rangelands, this may change the length and timing of the growing season and the amount and seasonal pattern of precipitation. Although pastoral communities have made a minimal contribution to the global warming process, they are likely to be seriously affected by it. An improved alpine pasture at Yusmarg A bakarwal with his flock EXTENT Rangelands form 55% of the total area in the Himalayan region and comprise diverse vegetation types distributed from the sub-tropical to the temperate and to the alpine regions. Livestock are primarily sustained by vast native rangelands and forests by millions of farmers and pastoralists who rely on these diverse ecosystems for their subsistence. In Jammu and Kashmir (IRSP6L3 2009 and 2010 data), 4.3% of the total geographical area is under productive grasslands, whereas the area of other grazing lands, including scrub and other unpalatable swards is 9.8% of the total. The areas under productive grasslands in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is 3.5, 13.2 and 5.8%, respectively. RANGELANDS AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION In most rangelands and grasslands, soil carbon is by far the largest carbon pool. Aboveground vegetation is normally small and consumed by grazing livestock. Litter pools are also a very small percentage of total carbon stocks. Considering that rangelands cover about 40% of the world’s land area, and that the majority of the world’s rangelands are degraded to some degree, the carbon sequestration potential of sustainable land management in rangeland areas appears to be huge. Rangelands, including grasslands, shrublands, pastureland, and cropland sown with pasture and fodder crops contain about 20 percent of the world’s soil carbon stocks. Climate change induced rangeland disturbances are expected to have increasing impacts on rangeland ecosystems and rangeland-dependent communities. These impacts will affect the ecosystem services that rangelands provide, including forage for wildlife and livestock production, fishing, hunting, and other forms of recreation, clean water and air, and aesthetically-pleasing landscapes. Methods of improved management include fertilization, irrigation, intensive grazing management and sowing of favourable forage grasses and legumes. Grassland management to enhance production (through sowing improved species, irrigation or fertilization), minimizing the negative impacts of grazing or rehabilitating degraded lands can each lead to carbon sequestration. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Grassland carbon sequestration faces the same challenges as those relating to forestry and agricultural sequestration, but in some ways they are greater. Sequestration rates can be slower, the ability to measure change could be more difficult, benefits may be distributed across more landowners/land managers with less certain tenure, practices may be more varied, costs of implementation are more poorly quantified, and the scientific information to inform policy analysis is less complete. There are substantial and diverse opportunities that arise with management practices that lead to carbon sequestration in grasslands. In addition to enhancing forage production and food security, many land management practices that sequester carbon prompt other changes in environmental processes that are beneficial for other reasons. Practices that sequester carbon in grassland soils tend to maximize vegetative cover, reducing wind and water-induced erosion, enhancing biodiversity and improving ecosystem water balance. Degraded Communal Grazing Lands Major Pastoralists of Jammu & Kashmir Name of the community Composition of Livestock/Animals Type of Pastoralism Bakarwals Mainly Goats, Sheep, horses and dogs Transhumance Gujjars Cattle, buffaloes, sheep, horses Semi-sedentary and sedentary Chopans Mainly sheep Semi-sedentary Gaddies Goats and Sheep Changpas Pashmina Goats and sheep, yak Nomadic