Sahibzada Irfanullah Khan, Sustainable Land Management Project, Planning & Development, sahibzada.irfanullah@slmp.org.pk
This paper depicts results of rehabilitation work initiated in 2003 under the SDC funded Farm Forestry Support Project in District Karak using rainwater harvesting and management techniques to strengthen silvo-pastoral system with hillside ditches and sand dune stabilization. The area lies in southern semi-arid region of Pakistan covering 75% of the land area with aridity index 0.05-0.65. Resided by poor pastoral communities, it is characterized by degraded rangeland ecosystem due to over-use and drought conditions. The results recorded in 2008 showed profuse plant growth with a potential to provide timber, fuel wood and fodder for livestock. Maximum harvesting of rainwater and conservation of moisture resulted in enormous growth of natural grasses and shrubs. After 5 years, plant growth in height and diameter of 6 m and 20 cm respectively was recorded. Average vegetation soil cover of 45% and increase in soil organic mater and nitrogen content was also recorded.
Key words: Degraded rangelands, Semi-arid, Water Harvesting