Rangeland Policy, 2012 (Kharka Niti -2068)

1. Background
Usages of rangelands* have been linked to the prehistoric period of human development and
human civilization. Rangelands are the basis for the livelihoods of the local communities.
Rangelands are contributing significantly to the national economy and more importantly
rangelands are the unique habitat for biodiversities. Out of the total land area of the country, 22.6
% is rangeland and majority of which lies in mountain, mid-hills and the lower hills. Although
rangelands on one hand are rich sources of medicinal herbs, habitat for wide range of wild animals
and birds, sources for major river streams and hydropower, scenic beauties and landscapes;
remoteness and miserable human development index of the rangeland dependent communities on
the other hands are some of the issues everybody is worried about. Moreover, rangelands have
long been accepted as the areas of scientific, historic, religious and cultural importance and thus
the vital source for livelihoods. In order to help in the scientific management, conservation and
usage leading to sustainable development of rangelands, this rangelands policy 2012 has been
designed and brought into effect.
2. Past Efforts
In early 1950 AD Yak Cheese Factories were established for the first time in the country in Central
Development Region targeting the rangeland dependent communities of the high hill areas of the
region. Similarly, in 1950s to 1960s, Pasture and Livestock Development Projects were
implemented in the same region. In 1970s and 1980s Pasture and Livestock Feed Research Farm
in Rasuwa, Resource Conservation and Utilization Project in Myagdi, Mustang and Gorkha, Pasture
Development Program in Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk and Northern Area Pasture Development
Program targeting high altitude districts were implemented. These projects together with Hills
Leasehold Forestry and Livestock Development Program which is in operation for last 14 years and
establishment of yak cheese factory at Taksindhu and Yak Farm at Syangboche, Solukhumbu have
also made positive contribution on rangeland development.
Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, 2002 formulated as per the framework of the Convention on Biological
Diversity, 1992 has been a valuable document in national biodiversity conservation and utilization
and also to some extent on the sustainable rangeland development. The Nepal Biodiversity
Implementation Plan, 2006 which has been prepared based on this strategy has also given priority
for theformulation and implementation of rangeland policy. GoN implemented National Agriculture
Policy, 2004 (2061); Agri-business Promotion Policy, 2006 (2063); Agro-biodiversity Policy, 2006
(2063) have envisioned conservation of genetic resources, indigenous knowledge and practices for
the equitable sharing of benefits for attaining food security and poverty reduction. Herbs and
Medicinal Plants and NTFP Development Policy 2004 (2061 BS) has emphasized the sustainable
management of rangeland products such as herbs and NTFPs.
Similarly, the Pastureland Nationalization Act 1974 abolished the Kipat[*] system and freed the
pasture lands from the control of Talukdars and Mukhiyas (local names for traditional designated
village lords). This Act has entrusted the responsibilities to local bodies for the conservation of
pasturelands in their respective territories. But still in some parts of the country, the Kipat system
prevails.
3. Present Situation
 Out of total 3.3 million hectare of the rangelands, nearly 80 % is in high hill and majority of which
is in mid and western development region (NBS 2002). Of the total rangeland, about 27 % is
within Protected Areas· and this part of rangeland is also at high risk due to the pressure of the
local communities and unorganized grazing and tourism industry. Valuable herbs
like Yarsagumba is found in rangeland therefore, there conflicts on ownership and management
and there are cases of loss of human life. Furthermore, remoteness, poor management and
increasing pressure of human and animals, have led to the further degradation of the rangelands.
Only 37 % of the forages produced in rangeland are being utilized at present. Production and
productivity of the rangelands however vary (from 0.65 MT. DM/ha/yr to 3.60 MT DM/ha/yr) in
different agroecological zones. Generally, there is high stocking rate in rangelands exceeding the
carrying capacity except that in alpine meadows. The ownership of the rangeland belongs to the
government, however it is being used by the local communities therefore, there is some confusion
on the management of rangeland. Similarly, there is lack of effective enforcement of bilateral
agreement on transborder animal grazing with neighboring countries and grazng fees are reported
to be high. Beside pasturelands, rangelands are the rich source of biodiversities including
wildlives, livestock, plants, herbs, etc.
4. Problems and Threats
Increasing human population, soil erosion, uncontrolled grazing, forest fire and deforestation etc.
have resulted into the decline of the biodiversities especially in high mountain region. Rangeland
production and rangeland areas are also shrinking. Nevertheless, traditional institutions,
technologies and methods of rangeland management are deterioriated whereas people are not
adhered to the new scientific approaches and methods. It is thus challenging to manage the
rangelands in a sustainable manner. Lack of institutional network for rangeland research and
expertise, inadequate investment, remoteness and insufficient human resources have led to
slackness in range management. Likewise, climate change induced by global warming lowered the
production and productivity of rangeland. Remoteness and isolation, lack of resources,
uncontrolled harvesting of rangeland resourcesy, confusion on owernship for rangeland
management, inadequate technology development and dissemination are the major callenges
besides low national priority and poor institutional linkages among rangeland community and
related stakeholders in rangeland development.
5. Urgency of the new policy
In high hill and mid-hills region, livestock farming is the main source of livelihood of people
and rangeland is the major basis for livestock production. Rangeland management is expected to
contribute to livelihood improvement and food security of the people, reduce internal migration
and minimize the effects of climate change. But in absence of rangeland policy there has not been
any concerted efforts. For providing clear direction to manage uncontrolled extraction or
harvesting of rangeland resources like herbs and NTFPs, to prevent the declining rangeland
productivity and biodiversities due to uncontrolled grazing, to minimize effects of climate change
and environmental degradation, to evaluate their roles in carbon sequestration, to promote
entrpreneurship in tourism development, to develop rangeland based enterprises and to conserve/
promote indegineous knowledge, skills, technologies an urgency of a Rangeland Policy’ at national
level is realised.
6. Vision
 Improving the livelihood of the rangeland dependent communities and thereby contributing to
the national economy.
7. Mission
Improving the livelihood of the rangeland dependent communities to contribute to the
national economy through sustainable rangeland management.
8. Goal
Adoption of environmentally friendly technologies and scientific management system by
involving local communities and utilizing their indigenous knowledge, skills and technology for the
suatainable rangeland management
9. Objectives
The major objectives of the national rangeland policy are to;
9.1 upgrade the status of the rangelands and thereby increasing its productivity.
9.2 develop and promote the rangeland based enterprises.
9.3 conserve, promote and utilize rangeland biodiversities in a sustainable and scientific
manner thereby contributing in balancing the rangeland ecoystem.

10. Policy
10.1 To upgrade the status of the rangelands and thereby increasing its productivity
10.1.1 Local communities will be made responsible and appropriate laws/bylaws will be formulated to
ensure the rights of conserving, promoting, and use of public rangelands by them.
10.1.2 Scientific grazing management practices will be adopted based on production status and
carrying capacity of the rangelands thereby preventing their further degradation.
10.1.3 Coordination with protected areas and others stakeholders will be established for pasture
development and rangeland management.
10.1.4 Rangelands that are traditionally being used as pasture lands by the communities within the
community forests areas will be identified and use rights of the livestock herders will be ensured.
10.1.5 Rangeland related technologies developed both within and outside the country will be collated
and their use will be ensured.
101.6 Rangeland based researches will be carried out on priority basis.
10.1.7 Rangeland infrastructures will be developed in communities' initiatives and active participation.
10.1.8 Process for renewal of the existing 'trans-border grazing agreements' with the neighboring
countries will be simplified through mutual dialogues and understanding.
10.1.9 Collection, conservation, and transportation of the green forage available in the rainy season
to feed animals during feed scarce winter and dry season will be managed.
10.1.10 Based on the study on availability of herbs and NTFPs, certain rangelands or parts of the
rangeland will be designated as herbs pockets. Herbs development, management, conservation
related activities will be carried out intensively in those pockets and participation of local bodies,
communities and other stakeholders will be encouraged for it.
10.1.11 Experiments related to rangeland resources for technology development will be accorded due
priority. Producers, users and public will be made aware about the production, collection of rangeland
based forage seed, livestock products, herbs and NTFPs.
10.1.12 Soil erosion from the rangelands with steep slopes will be controlled with the adoption of
appropriate technology.
10.1.13 Area and productivity of the existing rangelands will be assessed based on land use map and
rangeland development and management plan will be prepared and implemented.
10.1.14 Compensation will be provided for damage arising from natural calamities/disaster; like wild
fire, severe drought, flood, landslide, heavy snowfall/ avelanches etc. thereby minimizing the risks of
rangeland dependent communities.
10.2 To develop and expand the rangeland based enterprises
10.2.1 Entrepreneurship development and value addition of rangeland products at local level will be
encouraged and necessary infrastructures will be developed along with awareness raising and
capability building measures.
10.2.2 Market Information System and rangeland based entrepreneurs and stakeholders' network will
be developed to promote the marketing of rangeland products.
10.2.3 National Rangeland Development Fund will be established which will be utilized to develop
rangeland and support the livelihoods of the rangeland dependent communities by improving access to
education, public health services, alterative energy services and development of small scale
infrastructures.
10.2.4 Model tourist spots will be developed in certain feasible rangeland locations/ sites and local
production based eco-tourism will be promoted at those sites.
10.2.5 Genuine users of the rangeland will be given the responsibility of conservation and
management.
10.2.6 All the government agencies operating in high mountains and Himalayan region, will accord
due priority to livestock production and pasture development programs.
10.2.7 Rangeland product based industries will be promoted and marketing of high value products like
yak cheese, pashmina, herbs, wool will also be promoted.
10.2.8 Specialized human resources on rangeland development and management will be developed.
10.2.9 Awareness raising campaign on present status and importance of rangeland management will
be conducted.
10.2.10 Bio-prospecting will be done in conformity and/or in affiliation with international organizations
to get advantages from rangeland resources. If the bio-prospecting shows that there is scope for any
animals or plants or their products can be marketed in international market, national interests and
national benefits will be given utmost importance.
10.2.11 Public rangelands will be availed on longterm lease inorder to promote rangeland based
commercial enterprises.
10.2.12 Reliable alternative energy sources will be manged for the development and promotion of
rangeland based enterprises.

10.3 Conserve, promote and utilize rangeland biodiversities in a sustainable and

scientific manner thereby contributing in balancing the rangeland ecoystem
10.3.1 Rangeland based herbs, plants, forages, livestock, birds, local knowledge, skills, practices,
technologies and products will be conserved and promoted.
10.3.2 Rangeland biodiversities will be conserved and sustainable and efficient utilization of natural
resources will be ensured through provisions related to intellectual property rights.
10.3.3 Studies on rangeland biodiversity will be carried out and a data base of the rangeland
biodiversity will be prepared and regularly updated. Characterization, mapping and identification of the
genetic differences of the rangeland resources and will be identified and documented.
10.3.4 Value chain of the rangeland based organic products will be developed and strengthened.
10.3.5 Scientific use and conservation of rangeland based welands will be ensured.
10.3.6 Rangeland resources which are rear and at the verge of extinction will be conserved by
employing both in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods.
10.3.7 Buffer zone communities will be supported to adopt alternative income generating
opportunities for reducing their dependence on the protected areas.
10.3.8 National and international commitments made by the state on bio-diversity conservation will be
fully observed.
10.3.9 Contribution of rangelands in carbon sequestration will be studied and its findings will be
bringing forward for implementation.

11. Strategy and Working Policy

11.1 Compensation will be provided for the loss of livestock and rangeland resources that get
damaged due to natural disaster like heavy snowfall, avalanches, wild fire to the rangeland dependent
communities. Mechanism will be devised to avail compensation through District Natural Disaster Relief
Committee. On the initiation of the local communities and other local organizations 'Fodder Bank' will
be established and utilized to support and feed the livestock during emergencies and acute feed deficit
situations.
11.2 Regular meetings of the officials of the border administrations of the neighboring countries will be
organized to help solve the issues related to rangeland and cross border animal movement at local
level.
11.3 National Rangeland Development and Relief Fund will be established out of the rangeland
conservation fee received from protected areas, tourism sector, herb collection, trekking, etc. and also
the support received from donor agencies. Guidelines will be developed for the management of the
fund.
11.4 Due importance will be given to organize farmers' groups and cooperatives with community
initiatives which will play the lead role in rangeland development and thereby helping to achieve
maximum benefit from the rangelands. System will be in place so that these groups will have easy
access to loans disbursed by different financial institutions.
11.5 Rangeland development will be a priority activity of the community and leasehold forest areas
and rangeland management will be incorporated in forest action plan of these groups. Such groups will
be supported in acquiring technology, skill and knowledge for it.
11.6 Regular improvement in existing traditional system and technologies and development and
expansion of new technologies on rangeland production, collection, use and management will be done.
11.7 Breed improvement of the local livestock herds will be done by minimizing inbreeding, selecting
superior males and promoting the use of semen from those superior males. Local herders will thus be
encouraged to maintain few superior animals instead of keeping more inferior ones, thereby
minimizing the pressure on rangelands.
11.8 Arrangement will be made to minimize the competition for grazing on common and traditional
grazing lands of wild life and domestic animals by estimating the stocking density.
11.9 Infrastructures like animal trail, foot trail (Ghoreto, Goreto), drinking water facilities, shelter,
alternative energy etc. will be developed/ strengthened in pasture lands with the active participation
of the local bodies and local communities.
11.10 Research on rangeland will be accorded priority in Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)
system, Department of Forest Research and Survey, Department of Botany and other concerned
national and international educational institutions. Research on production status, areas converge, use
in pasture land of new forage species will be done in coordination and participation of national
research institutions, universities, government departments and local communities.
11.11 Seed production and nursery establishment of locally available nutritious forage species
especially the legumes will be done to help in reseeding, conserving, expanding those species. To help
develop pasture lands and forage production, seed production, collection, storage, distribution and
reseeding of such forage species will be ensured.
11.12 Subsidies will be provided in coordination with concerned agencies in designated areas for
reliable access to alternative energy to the rangeland dependent communities.
11.13 Provisions of the initial environment examination (environment impact assessment) will be
simplified to promote the commercialization of the rangeland products.
11.14 Communication and extension campaign for Nepalese rangelands and rangeland products in
international level will be launched. Coordination with agencies such as Trade Promotion Centre,
FNCCI, diplomatic missions abroad will also be strengthened. In country extension campaign will also
be carried out and will be tied up with domestic tourism promotion activities.
11.15 Capacity of the local community and local bodies will be enhanced to promote and market
rangeland products and their involvement in rangeland development will be ensured.
11.16 Information centers and network will be established to disseminate rangeland related
information to producers, collectors, processors and exporters.
11.17 Appropriate mechanism will be devised for the certification system of rangeland products.
11.18 Government of Nepal will maintain institutional linkages and coordination with CTEVT, national
universities and educational institutions abroad if needed, to produce and supply skilled technical
manpower on rangeland development and production, collection, processing, and market management
of rangeland resources. Pilot projects will be implemented and Nepalese rangelands will also be
developed as international collaborative research sites.
11.19 Rangeland inventory will be updated and new rangeland will be explored, identified, accessed
and utilized.
11.20 Rangeland based rural tourism will be promoted and establishment and management of the
parks, developing hotels and trekking routes will be developed in different geographical regions.
11.21 Permanent study sites will be established in different ecozones to study the forage and plant
biodiversity and ecosystem productivity.
11.22 Carpet wool and Chyangra pashmina producing program will be launched to promote
international trade by closely tying up with pastureland management. For this, the carrying capacity
and productivity of the rangeland will be improved.
11.23 Rangeland dependent communities will be supported for livestock keeping, pasture
development, small enterprises establishment in the initial stage by availing breeding male, forage
seed and technical services under subsidized schemes besides reliable and easy access for credit.
11.24 Capacity of the community will be enhanced in collection, processing, storage and marketing of
the rangeland resources and thereby promoting the rangeland based tourism.
11.25 Fees will be charged for the use of rangeland to help manage the livestock grazing and avoid
further down fall in rangeland productivity. Rangelands with heavy grazing pressure will be charged
more. Similarly, unproductive animals will be gradually reduced.
11.26 Rangeland biodiversity will be conserved with the help and participation of consumers and other
stakeholders. Mechanism for introduction of exotic species will be regulated by testing them in a
designated area and the successful one will be scaled up.
11.27 Dominance of aggressive/ unwanted plant species in the rangelands will be controlled through
regular management practices.
11.28 Intellectual property right/patent right of the valuable rangeland products including indigenous
knowledge, skills, technologies, practices of our own country will be ensured. Such knowledge, skills,
practices, etc. will be recorded to protect indigenous identities.
11.29 Value addition of our native medicinal herbs will be encouraged through scientific and safe
storage, processing, packaging, extraction, etc. Establishing small and medium scale industries at
local level will be encouraged and Government of Nepal will provide technical and financial support for
it.
11.30 Genetic resource (access, use and benefit sharing) act will be formulated to establish legal
rights over the rangeland based genetic resources and genetic materials. Mechanism/system will be
devised for judicial sharing of the benefits received from these resources. Intellectual property rights
of the individual, community and state will be ensured. Registration of Nepalese indigenous
knowledge, skills, and practices related to genetic resources will be carried out.
11.31 Capacity building of the GOs, NGOs and local communities working in rangeland sector will be
enhanced and strengthened through studies, training, study visits programs.
11.32 Public awareness campaign will be carried out by focusing on rangeland and their products,
biological knowledge on rangeland plants.
11.33 Rangeland based water sources will be conserved and utilized. Wetlands in the rangelands will
be properly managed.
11.34 Conservation of rangeland will be embedded with the environment conservation and rangeland
related studies/ research and technology dissemination will be regulated by developing operational
guidelines and standards.

12. Institutional Arrangement

There will be following institutional coordinating mechanism for the effective implementation of
the policy provisions. At the central level, National Planning Commission member looking after
agriculture and forestry portfolio will chair the national level coordination committee. Similarly,
the Director General of Department of Livestock Services will chair the departmental level
management committee. Likewise, the Local Development Officer, District Development
Committees will chair the district level implementation coordination committee in the
respective districts. The national level guidance committee and management committee will
 assure the responsibility of formulating and revision of the necessary guidelines, directives
needed for the effective implementation of the policy.

National Committee

Honorable member, National Planning Commission (Agriculture and forestry sector) Chairperson
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Member
Secretary, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Member
Secretary, Ministry of Environment Member
Secretary, Ministry of Local Development Member
Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Member
Secretary, Ministry of Finance Member
Chairperson, FNCCI Member
Chairperson, FECOFUN Member
Farmer represented (nominated by the government from rangeland dependent community) Member
Director General, Deaprtment of Livestock Services Member-secreatry

Department level Management Committee

Director General, Department of Livestock services Chairperson

Deputy Director General, Planning and Training Division, Department of Forest Member
Deputy Director General, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Member
Deputy Director General (Planning), Department of Agriculture Member
Deputy Director General, Department of Botany Member
Deputy Director General, Department of Soil Conservation Member
Representative, FNCCI Member
Executive Director, Agro-enterpreise Center Member
Chief, Pasture and Forage Research Division, NARC Member
Representaive, Ministry of Local Development Member
Farmers' Representattive (from program area) Member
Chief, National Pasture and Animal Feed Center, DLS Member-secretary

District Coordination Committee

Local Development Officer, District Development Committee Chairperson

District Forest Officer, District Forest Office Member
Chief, District Soil Conservation Office Member
Chief, District Agriculture Development Office Member
Chief, Protected Area Office Member
Women Development Officer, Women Development Office Member
Chairperson, Distrcit Chamber of Commerce and Industries Member
District Chairperson, Village Development Federation Member
Farmer Representative (male-1; female-1), (Rangelnd Develoment Committee) Member
Chairperson, Buffer zone Conservation Management Committee Member
Chairperson, FECOFUN Member
Representative, Non-government Organization Member
Chief, District Livestock Services Office Member secretary

Implementation of rangeland development programs will be through community level 'Rangeland

Development Committees'. Similarly, in rangeland areas involving more than one district Regional
Level Committee could be formed as required.

13. Financial implications

The implementation of policy will be from the existing structure and network via Ministry of
Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Ministry of Local
Development, various government and non-government organizations and local bodies
therefore, it does not demand huge resources to execute the policies. However, the some of
the policy measures demand new program/activities and formulation and implementation of
some of the new laws in fact need some additional resources.

14. Legal Aspect

Rangeland Management Act, regulation along with directives and guidelines will be formulated
and implemented for the development and management of rangelands.

15. Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring and evaluation of the policy will be regularly done through National Level Guidance
Committee, department level management committee and district level implementation
coordination committee and reporting mechanism will be institutionalized.

16. Threats

Execution of the policy will ensure holistic rangeland management which result into
biodiversity conservation, environment protection and improvement of livelihood of the
targeted community. Hence, there are no apparent threats.

* Rangeland denotes natural pasture land, grassland including shrubland.

[*] A Traditional system of land tenureship in which 'village lords' designated by the then ruler
have the right to use the government land as Kipat. In kipat system, the use rights of the
pastureland belonged to the designated 'village lords' who used to act as local tax collecting
agents of the ruler. The Land Reform Act, 1962 although legally abolished the kipat system but it
is sporadically reported by the press here and there. In some places, there are conflicts between
the traditional herders and tax collectors in the eastern region of the country.
· Protected area includes national parks, wildlife reserve, hunting reserve, conservation area and
buffer zones.
y Rangeland resources generally includes following rangeland products; forage, herbs, non-timber
forest products, water resources, wildlife and ecosystem.