Fodder Resources of Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Trans Himalaya

Livestock is one of the major sources of livelihood and vital part of the agriculture and economy for the inhabitants of Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR) in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The tribal communities are dependent on plant resources for fodder to feed the livestock. The review of literature revealed that focused studies on fodder resources of the CDBR have not been carried out so far. Therefore, the present study attempts to specify 270 species of fodder representing trees (03 spp.), shrubs (24 spp.) and herbs (243 spp.). Poaceae (105 spp.) and Polygonaceae (34 spp.) were dominant families and Poa (18 spp.), Carex and Polygonum (11 spp., each), and Festuca (10 spp.) were species rich genera. Maximum species were found in the 3000 ~ 4000 m zone. Most collected fodder species from wild includes Trigonella emodii, Cicer microphyllum, Aconogonum tortuosum, Clematis ladakhiana, Cousinea thomsonii, Carex infuscata, Festuca rubra, Leymus secalinus, etc. Only 88 species were native to the Himalayan Region, 11 species were endemic and 37 species were near endemic. Ecological assessment of the fodder species using quadrate method, and rotational grazing of livestock by tribal communities and Gaddis; and development of management plan and policy briefs are suggested.