PJB-2021-1537
Economic valuation of ecosystem services in alpine pastures of western Himalayas: a case study of Kaghan valley, Pakistan
Anwar Ali, Muhammad Ayaz Khan, Muhammad Irfan Ashraf and Muhammad Arif Goheer
Abstract
Alpine pastures of Kaghan valley are one of the most productive grazing lands in Pakistan. These pastures provide many ecosystem services which are important for livelihood of the local people, nomadic graziers and economy of the country. Alpine pastures of Kaghan spread over an area of 71,939 ha constituting 28% of the total area of the valley. Present study was conducted to quantify the economic value of provisioning ecosystem services i.e. forage production in the study area. The data was collected from 40 fenced experimental plots laid out at eight sites during June-September 2019. Livestock population was estimated through a field survey by interviewing 485 graziers. Results indicated that 65% of the vegetation was comprised of forbs, 24% grasses and 11% was shrubs. Average dry weight of forage was calculated as 2,900 kg ha-1. Total forage production in the grazeable areas of alpine pastures of Kaghan Valley was estimated as 146,035 tonnes per year. The average price of air-dried forage in the area was Rs. 12,000 per tonne or US$ 74.48 per tonne. Therefore, total economic value of forage production in the grazeable areas of Kaghan valley was Rs. 1,752 million or US$ 10.87 million per year. Total livestock population of the Alpine pastures of Kaghan valley was estimated as 163,550 animals. About 56% of the livestock grazing in the pastures comprised of goats, 39% sheep, 2% cows, 2% horses, 1% donkeys, 0.4% mules and 0.3% buffaloes. It was concluded that the alpine pastures of Kaghan valley are very productive and have a key role in the local economy. Sustainable management of alpine pastures will ensure the continuity of valuable ecosystem services.
To Cite this article:
Ali, A., M.A. Khan, M.I. Ashraf and M.A. Goheer. 2021. Economic valuation of ecosystem services in alpine pastures of western Himalayas: a case study of Kaghan valley, Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot., 53(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2021-5(18)
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