Prof. (Dr) R.D. Gupta
The green meadows generally known as alpine pastures, are locally called Dhokes or Tokes. Such pastures are almost distributed in all the districts of Jammu region, Jammu and Kashmir state. These grasslands, infact, constitute the traditional grazing grounds for livestock population, especially during summer season (May to June) when there is no other source of fodder available. However, now a days, these grasslands have very much deteriorated due to heavy and indiscriminate grazing. As a result, these grazing lands have become incapable to support fodder for the increased livestock population which is presently 111.72 lakhs. Hence, these grasslands call for their management.
Occurrence: A group of Gujjars of Reasi and Ramban districts are utilizing a number of dhokes for grazing their livestock since centuries. Of these various dhokes, six viz; Magnad, Nadi Pathri, Burjo, Pathriyan and Jallandhar are the predominant. These dhokes situated in the upper Siwaliks, abound in different kinds of grasses which are grazed by the cattle of the Reasi Gujjars.
In the vicinity of Mughal Road green dhokes are confined to high altitudes. Some of these dhokes are: Shakamarg, Kharimarg, Pirmarg, Sarimastan, Girgan, Ravi, Ala, Dehar, Chatapani, Bagnu Ali, Hassanthum, Banj, Khoriali, Tami and many others. These dhokes are nonetheless attractive tourist spots like Gulmarg, Khillanmarg. But the Tourist Department will have to construct link road for connectivity.
The dhokes are also present in temperate areas of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region. In Poonch district dhokes are mainly present in girgan valley. This valley starts from the top of Bharamgala Mount and goes upto Raviwali dhoke. Apart from Raviwali dhoke, the Girgan valley possesses 37 more dhokes and margs (meadows).
Management
i) Development Strategy: Under temperate zones of Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts, crop residues/by products of maize, wheat and paddy are the only source of fodder being fed to the cattle during winter months. So, development strategy as an integrated programme of fodder crop production in atleast 4 per cent of the cultivable area must be brought under fodder crops.
Red clover, white clover, lucerne and vetches require to be grown on higher altitude which provide succulent fodder to the cattle. In some of these areas, there is practice to leave paddy fields fallow during rabi season. In such fields, wherever it is possible, berseem and oats can be grown.
Results of “On Farm Research Trials” conducted by SKUAST in collaboration with Department of Agriculture revealed that growing of Hybrid Napier (NP-21) gave the highest fodder yield both under Rajouri and Udhampur climate conditions followed by jowar + cowpea. Growing of bajra + cowpea and oats + berseem have also found suitable in these districts. Dinanath grass (Pennisetum pediculatum) is one of the important grasses which has proved beneficial to grow in areas of these districts.
ii) Rehabilitating of cultural wastelands: In Jammu Division morethan 1 Lakh ha area is under culturable wastelands, which has almost been denuded by over grazing, soil erosion and drought. These lands can easily be brought under use by rehabilitating through adopting proper scientific techniques. Such area can be planted with perennial grasses like hybrid napier, setaria, guinea grass and intercropped with fodder trees like subabul (Leucaena leucocephala), sarin (Albizzia spp), dhaman (Grewia optiva), etc.
Plantation of the aforesaid grasses and trees can be done successfully on the banks of the streams, seasonal nallahs and rivers as well as around cultivable wastelands, roads, ravines and fringes of forests.
iii) Fencing / closing of dhokes: The dhokes of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Sanasar, Mahore and other areas of Reasi, should be fenced and closed for grazing one by one till these dhokes are ameliorated and developed. This regulated grazing policy would be proved the most important steps in scientific management of these pasture lands. It is worthwhile to mention that overgrazing of the dhokes has to be avoided.
iv) Selection of the grasses and legumes for reseeding: In those dhokes, where a complete destruction of forage grasses has occurred by overgrazing, soil erosion and drought, their quick improvement can be achieved by reseeding the fenced area with mixture of grasses and legumes. Selection of the grasses and the legumes varies according to the type of climate and soil. For instance, for the submountain area of Siwaliks, grass species like Cenchrus ciliaris, C.setigerus, C.hybrid, Chrysopogon fulvus, Dicanthium annulatum, Panicum antidotale, P.chlortum, P.repen have been found suitable to grow. Among legumes, Stylosan-thus hamata, S.scabra and Lablab purpures, are the promising ones. Contrary to this, Dactylis glomerata and Loluim perine grass species are found well for middle Siwaliks.
v) Fertilization: As many grasses are known for their economic response to N,P and K fertilizers, so they should be applied by aerial spraying. Prior to spraying survey of the dkokes has to be undertaken for removing unwanted grass species and bushes.
vi) Giving rest to the dhokes: The rate of growth of grasses does not remain the same all the year around. It is the lowest in winter and highest in rainy season. If leaves of grasses are grazed during winter it takes a very long time before they are replaced. Hence dhokes should be given rest i.e; complete stopping to graze atleast for 2 months during autumn.
Suggestions and priorities for the future
i) Biotic pressure on the dhokes, especially confined to the areas of Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts should be completely checked till they get rehabilitated.
ii) To check a foresaid pressure, the dhokes must be closed for sometime. For this purpose live hedge fencing should be preferred than wire fencing or stone wall fencing being simple and cheap. Live hedge fencing should be laid out during rainy season using tree/bush species.
iii) As many of the dhokes are deteriorated owing to heavy grazing and more use for raising food crops even on those having 30-40 per cent slope so these practices require to be limited.
iv) In good rainy season, there is more production of forage in dhokes, some of which can be spared for making hay for lean periods.
v) To improve the quality of herbage introduction of suitable legume species as per agro-climatic requirement is very essential. The recommended legunes include white clover, red clover and lucerne @ 5-10 Kg ha-1 in high altitude (2000 m and above). Desmodium spp @ 3 Kg ha-1 for mid hills (500-2000m) and Siratro and beans @ 15-20 Kg ha-1 in low altitude areas (below 800m).
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