��������������������������������������

Rangeland Management and its contribution to sustainable development in Namibia and Africa Aridity Zones

WorldWorld MeteorologicalMeteorological OrganizationOrganization (WMO),(WMO), 40°N 20°W 10°W 0° 10°E 50°E UNEP,UNEP, ClimateClimate ChangeChange 2001:2001: Impacts,Impacts, 40°N What are ‘Rangelands’? The Status of Namibia’s Rangelands AdaptationAdaptation andand Vulnerability,Vulnerability, ContributionContribution ofof Working Group II to the Third Assessment Report (TAR) of the Intergovernmental Panel Mediterraneanon Climate Change (IPCC). Most of Namibia’s rangelands are degraded as a result of 30°N Sea “.. expansive, mostly unimproved lands on which 30°N

N

i a signifi cant proportion of the vegetation is inappropriate land management and infrastructure development. le Lake Nasser native grasses and shrubs. Rangelands include Red 20°N natural grasslands, savannas, shrublands, many • Carrying capacity has declined to 36 % of values in 1959. 20°N Sea

deserts, tundra, alpine communities, coastal er N Lake ig ig N e Chad • Bush encroachment leads to annual loss of income of N$1.6 billion. r marshes, and wet meadows. Rangeland is 10°N 10°N N i generally arid, semi-arid, sub-humid or otherwise • The challenges are everywhere: on communal and privately owned land le unsuitable for cultivation.” Lake and national parks. ongo) Turkana C Equator Equator Lake Victoria Atlantic Ocean Lake Tanganyika Principles of Sustainable Rangeland Management (for semi-arid regions)� Indian Aridity zones Ocean 10° S Lake � Humid Malawi Rangeland

� Moist Subhumid Z a zi Bunching of animals Perennial grasses need Ensure that livestock areas mbe Dry Subhumid �� improves the nutrient and water adequate recovery periods numbers do not exceed the amount Semi-Arid 20° S cycles by natural fertilisation, of food available�� and always ensure Arid �� Hyper-Arid O between grazing to prevent ran breaking soil capping and increasing a suffi cient reserve supply to cope je ��� 30° S

soil cover through trampling. overgrazing and over-rest. with drought conditions. � � � � 0 1 000 km � DELPHINE DIGOUT ���� � � � � � � � MAY 2002 10°E 20°E 30°E 40°E Source: World Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). What is Sustainable Rangeland Management? Key outcomes Additional advantages

Sustainable rangeland management makes use During the growing Planned grazing and of the benefi cial actions of livestock by moving season: herding results in: and herding them in a bunch to a fresh place every day. The animals are moved according to a • Perennial plants • Sound rangeland grazing plan; animals come to the same area only have adequate management once during the growing season and once during recovery periods the non-growing season. • Increased • Over-grazing of productivity of perennial grass vegetation due to plants is reduced. natural fertilisation Having a dedicated team of herders brings many advantages by the animals During the • Limited loss of livestock from theft and disease, non-growing or dry due to daily contact with herders season: • Limited loss to problem animals • The build up of • Increased carrying capacity (case studies from

Effective planning can ensure optimal use of the rangeland, and TramplingTrampling byby animalsanimals breaksbreaks thethe hardhard soilsoil soil cover (mulch) Southern Africa show a doubling, in some cases maximise benefi ts to the environment crust is improved even tripling, of stocking rates over time) as dead plant • Improved livelihoods material is broken off and trampled • Mitigation of droughts and climate change into the ground. • Increased biodiversity • Increased carbon sequestration into the soil Concentrations of animals can lead to rapid and dramatic improvements in vegetation cover. These photos of a site in Zimbabwe illustrate the effects of a mobile, temporary overnight • Synergies with wildlife and tourism enterprises. kraal which was used for several nights Dead plant material builds up and is Digital Terrain Models are used to assist with planning incorporated into the soil through trampling

Herding animals can benefi t crop production...... as well as wildlife and tourism Partnerships for Sustainable Development

• Using mobile, Principle-centred approaches to national policy temporary overnight formation and community development practices kraals results in bring together government, the private sector and fi elds that are communities and is gaining wide acceptance. tilled, fertilised and mulched without Some of the many examples from Namibia are: mechanical means. • Namibia’s abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery gives us a competitive advantage over • The draft National Rangeland Management Policy and • Mulching of crop most other countries. Strategy fi elds with crop • The Community Based Natural Resource Management residue can be done • Herding of livestock can allow wildlife, tourism movement and domestic stock to co-exist. more effectively • The Country Pilot Partnership Programme as livestock do not • Healthy wildlife habitat • The Emerging Commercial Farmers’ Support Programme, remove residues. improves and secures especially the mentorship service • Both of the above tourism enterprises. Planned increase yields grazing and herding is a cost- Sustainable considerably by effective way of improving development improving soil landscape production and requires competent organic matter and securing local livelihoods. coordination and the water cycle. • The synergy of traditional facilitation by well trained local residents • Domesticated and knowledge and modern and must deal with indigenous plants science leads to viable and the complexities of production, marketing and complement each proud rural communities who social life. Mutually supportive partnerships other. can enjoy a good quality of life; this reduces migration between producers, neighbours, male and female

LivestockLivestock heldheld inin a mobilemobile temporarytemporary kraalkraal overnightovernight prepareprepare thethe into urban centres. members of households and communities can all ground for crops; crop yields are signifi cantly improved through the use of good rangeland management techniques help to achieve this.

The long-term implementation of these practices has already led to More and more communities are beginning to recognise the improved livelihoods and quality of life on freehold farms and rural importance of good management practices to increase their communities in various parts of southern Africa and other continents. sustainability and self-reliance.