In the Indian Trans-Himalayan landscape, one of the pressing conservation challenges is the absence of livestock-free areas. Research has shown that overgrazing by livestock significantly impacts populations of wild herbivores. To address this, we launched a community-based conservation initiative in the Spiti Valley, designed to test innovative strategies on an experimental scale.

A Community-Driven Approach

Partnering with the village council of Kibber, we introduced a program to designate portions of rangeland as no-grazing zones, free from human activity and livestock grazing, in exchange for compensation. Beginning in 1998, approximately 500 hectares (around 6% of the village’s grazing land) were initially set aside for five years. A 10-member village committee was formed to oversee the initiative, and three local guards were employed to enforce the no-grazing zone. In 2004, the reserve area expanded to 2,000 hectares, and compensation was increased accordingly.

The primary goals were to reduce competition between snow leopard prey and livestock for limited resources and minimize disease transmission at the wildlife-livestock interface.

Promising Results

Monitoring efforts revealed impressive outcomes. Within five years, the bharal (blue sheep) abundance increased significantly within the reserve. Interestingly, bharal, which previously used the area only during the summer, now inhabits it year-round. Positive spillover effects were observed, with bharal extending their presence to adjacent pastures.

Encouraged by these successes and the enthusiastic local response, we expanded the program. Today, the initiative spans five village clusters in Himachal Pradesh, safeguarding over 420 square kilometers of community-owned rangeland. In Ladakh, we currently have 5 Grazing free reserves. These are namely Kalak Tartar plateau, Hanle for Tibetan Gazelle, Hemya for blue sheep, Puyul for Urial/Blue Sheep, Dang Lungpa at Chushul for Blue sheep & Tibetan Argali, and Tsaba only for Tibetan Argali. Tsaba is a "floating reserve" i.e. the herders don't take their livestock to areas when they spot argali so as to not disturb them. These reserves alleviate livestock pressure on pastures, fostering healthier populations of wild herbivores.

Biodiversity and Community Benefits

Beyond improving herbivore numbers, the grazing-free reserves have become biodiversity hotspots. Long-term bird monitoring in Kibber has revealed an abundance of insectivores, highlighting the valley’s rich avian diversity.

While no focused research has yet been conducted to evaluate the reserves' full impact, we aim to monitor biodiversity systematically and continue engaging with communities to refine conservation strategies. Conservation interventions cannot be rigid; their success lies in adaptability and improvisation in response to changing conditions. 

By fostering dynamic, community-driven solutions, this initiative not only conserves biodiversity but also fortifies the resilience of both wildlife and human communities in the high-altitude landscapes of the Trans-Himalaya.