التقييم البيئي المتكامل لمراعي جبال ظفار بسلطنة عمان

Abstract EN

The rangelands of Dhofar Mountains occupies half a million hectares, characterized by diversity of its vegetation cover.

Presently, they are under heavy pressures causing degradation of its ecosystem productivity.

This study aims to conduct an integrated environmental assessment (IEA) of the rangelands using DPSIR framework, and methodologies of policy analysis.

Field data was collected through two questionnaires directed at a sample of (30) officials/experts, and a random sample of the (128) livestock owners in Dhofar; in addition to evaluation of the policies.

The results showed that population growth and socio-economic developments (D) caused pressures (P) inducing increased carrying capacity, and demand of rangelands for development projects, beside the impacts of climate change.

The findings of the survey indicated that each household owns 41 animal units out of which 68٪ were cattle, 27٪ camels and 5٪ goats.

4.7٪ of the livestock owners are dependent on livestock as their only source of income.

The degradation of rangelands was the cause of low economic returns from livestock, which represents only 23٪ of the purchasing cost of feed alone, and strained social relations among livestock owners and increased frequency of conflicts over the pasture areas.

Many of the livestock owners have abandoned grazing occupation and migrated to cities.

Analysis of the policies showed existence of vision for protection of rangeland and animal wealth, the most important being the Royal Decrees 2003/8 and the national strategy for development of rangelands.

However, mostly they were regulatory to mitigate impacts, instead of addressing the root causes of the problems.

The study recommended activation of the legislation, rehabilitation of the degraded rangelands, reduction of pastoral cattle, development of the rural economy and enhance community participation in planning, implementation and monitoring of programs and projects related to rangelands and livestock