The role of grazing on common lands on the livelihoods of rural communities: a case study from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

Student name: Ms D. Lakshmi Vaishnavi
Guide: Dr Joachim Schmerbeck
Year of completion: 2011
Host Organisation: International Livestock Research Institute
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Nils Teufel

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Abstract: Grazing is an important activity in agrarian ecosystems. Grazing on common lands is an important use of Common Property Resources which are indispensable in rural set-ups especially in developing countries. This activity like any other activity involving community dynamics has many socio-economic as well cultural implications. Anantapur provides a rural set up with a majority of its population being dairy farmers relying on common grazing lands for forage. These common grazing lands which are often grasslands are communally managed by applying an annual fire, requiring community participation for monitoring. The study area provides an apt context to study the socio-economic impacts of grazing. This study tries to assess those economic impacts, and the management practices, and tries to put forward the potential policy implications.

Key words: Grazing, Grasslands, Common property resources, Fire, Policy