Principles of Range management & hima system in livestock production and biodiversity conservation

1. Principles of Range management & hima system in livestock production and biodiversity conservation Samira A. S. Omar somar@kisr.edu.kw Director of Food Resources & Marine Sciences DivisionKuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) COP 2010

2. Contents • Definitions & categories of land uses • Historical information. • Land degradation. • Sustainable HIMA System. • Conclusions and recommendations.

3. Definitions & Categories

4. Protected Areas Definition/IUCN A clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values

5. Types of Protected AreasIUCN PA management categories • (a) Strict nature reserve (b)Wilderness area • National park • Natural monument • Habitat / Species management area • Protected landscape / Seascape • Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources

6. HIMA Definition A traditional system meaning protected place/area,which refers to an area set aside for the conservation of natural capital, wildlife and forests.

7. Types of Himas (Ahmiah) • Grazing is prohibited, cutting is permitted only after flowers and fruits are produced. This allows natural seeding of the soil for the next year or season. • Grazing is allowed all year, the number and type of animals are specified. No restriction on grass-cutting. • Reserve for bee-keeping. Grazing is allowed only after the flowering season. • Reserve for forest trees, e.gJuniperusprocera, Acaciaspp., Haloxlonpersicum. • Reserving a woodland to stop desertification of an area or sand dune encroachment. IUCN 2008

8. Rangelands Definition Rangelands grow primarily native vegetation, rather than plants established by humans. Rangelands are also managed principally with extensive practices such as managed livestock grazing and prescribed fire rather than more intensive agricultural practices of seeding, irrigation, and the use of fertilizers.

9. Types of Rangeland Management Rangelands and range resources are used for a variety of purposes. These purposes include use as watersheds, wildlife habitat, grazing by livestock, recreation, and aesthetics, as well as other associated uses.

10. Historical Information

11. History of Protected Areas • Since early civilization to regulate hunting. • Over 2000 years ago royal decrees in India protected certain areas. • Initially, protected areas were recognized on a national scale, differing from country to country until 1933, when an effort to reach an international consensus on the standards and terminology of protected areas took place at the International Conference for the Protection of Fauna and Flora in London. • At the 1962 First World Conference on National Parks in Seattle the effect of the Industrial Revolution had had on the world's natural environment was acknowledged and the need to preserve it for future generations was established.

12. History of HIMA System • Established more than one thousand four hundred years ago in the Arabian Peninsula. • In pre-Islamic times, access to this area or place was declared forbidden by the owner (exclusive use by a group or individual). • When Islam was introduced to the Arabian Peninsula the hima was transformed to be a public land owned by God and the prophet Muhammad. • The meaning of hima after Islam evolved to signify a rangeland reserve or an area set aside seasonally to allow regeneration of plants (Kailani et al., 2007)

13. History of HIMA System • The hima provided equality sharing of resources, social inclusion, sustainable use, consultation, and representation for decision-making, land use management, resource conservation, and rights of use, ethics and poverty prevention. • Several himas were established in the Arabian Peninsula and varied in size from a few hectares to hundreds of square kilometers. These ahmia were established and managed by local communities but recognized by central governments. • In 1960’s it was estimated that there were about 3,000 himas in Saudi Arabia. They varied from 10 to over 1,000 hectares.

14. History of Range Management in the U.S.A. • The first cattle and horses were brought into the western United States in 1540. • In the 1600's numerous Spanish settlements were established in the Southwest. Cattle and horses escaping from these settlers multiplied rapidly under the mild climatic and abundant forage conditions in the Southwest. • Horses were brought into eastern Oregon and Idaho by Indians in the early 1700's.

15. Between 1865 and 1900 the sheep industry expanded rapidly in the West. • Between 1880 and 1910, there was a great reduction in the rangeland resource caused by overgrazing and conversion of rangeland to farmland. • In 1915 Frederick Clements, the famous Nebraska plant ecologist, addressed the problems of range abuse. He recommended that rest, controlling season of use, reducing livestock numbers, controlling noxious plants, and reseeding be used to stop range deterioration and initiate range improvement.

16. Land Degradationin the 20th Century

17. Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity, were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992

18. HIMA Degradation • During the twentieth century, Sustainable systems of land use declined and so did the diversity of habitats. • Tribal ownership and management of land have been replaced with national ownership and management. • Human populations have increased, leading to mounting demands on land for housing and farms, as well as increasing demands on pasture for ever larger herds of livestock. • With the mechanization of agriculture, for example, there is little need for draft animals; himas that were established for cattle and horses are now often used to graze sheep and goats.

19. Blowing Sand

20. Are National Efforts Mostly Directed Towards Conservation? Conservation Grazing

21. Advantages • Conservation of biodiversity and species and habitats. • Reduction in land degradation and dust storms. • Increase in rangeland productivity and community establishment. • Esthetic, recreation values and ecotourism. • Socioeconomic benefits in modern life.

22. Disadvantages • Concerns for traditional grazing practices losses and tribal community transformation. • Reduction in livestock production and control in their movement due to restricted protected areas. • Loss of nutrient cycling and balance between livestock grazing and plant production. • Equality unjust and reduction in community economic benefits.

23. Sustainable HIMA System

24. Integrated & Sustainable Land Use Livestock production Government (G) G&C Wildlife Conservation Community (C)

25. Proactive Approach in Public Land Uses/HIMA System Wildlife Conservation Livestock production

26. Sustainable HIMA System • Integrating two management practices: protected areas and grazing management. • Equal rights for land use by communities and share of resources. • Apply modern rangeland management practices and principles. • Educate communities and their involvement in sustainable use. • Enhance public awareness on proper land use and regulations.

27. The Third Master Plan of Kuwait showing areas designated for the protection of nature (in green)

28. UNCCD Strategy (2008-2018) "to forge a global partnership to reverse and prevent desertification/land degradation and to mitigate the effects of drought in affected areas in order to support poverty reduction and environmental sustainability".

29. Range Management Practices • Periods of grazing, deferment, rest, animal impact, and levels of use that will bring about desired changes in the plant community. • Movement of livestock necessary for uniform distribution of grazing(by water developments, fencing, salting, stock trails, and herding). • Supplementary practices may need to be planned and applied to help accelerate the desired change. Some of the practices to consider are seeding, brush management, prescribed burning, fertilizing, mechanical treatment, and water spreading.

30. Protected Areas Understanding in Morocco The guiding principle behind the management of the protected areas is that all actors should endeavor to achieve an equitable balance between the legitimate interests of traditional users and the demands of nature conservation. The National Action Program to Combat Desertification, too, highlights the direct connection between poverty reduction, rural development and the preservation of natural resources. Moroccan High Commissioner for Water, Forestry and Desertification Control

31. Conclusions and Recommendation • There is a need to balance land use between wildlife conservation and livestock grazing. • Sustainable HIMA System can provide this balance when range management practices are applied. • Encourage equal rights for land use by communities and share resources sustainably. • Develop a strategic plan for management of Sustainable HIMA System (SHS). • International conventions such as UNCCD and CBD provide tools and guidelines for sustainable land use and management of resources. • Education and public awareness. • Networking and sharing knowledge.

32. References • http://www.unccd.int/en/about-the-convention/Pages/About-the-Convention.aspx. • Gari, Lutfallah (2006). "A History of the Hima Conservation System". Environment and History (The White Horse Press, Cambridge, UK) 12: 213–228. • Heady, H and R. D. Child. 1994. Rangeland Ecology and Management. Westview Press. Boulder, San Francisco and Oxford. • Holechek, J.L. 1981. A Brief History of Range Management in the United States. Rangelands Vol. 3. No. 1 (feb. 1981), pp. 16-18. Allen Press. • Kilani, Hala, AssaadSerhal, Othman Llewlyn 2007. Al-Hima: A way of life, IUCN West Asia regional Office, Amman Jordan – SPNL Beirut, Lebanon. International Union for Conservation of Nature.