Pasture productivity in several districts of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) has increased by 20–30% following restoration measures, according to monitoring results published by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) on August 13.
The monitoring was carried out from July 13 to 17 in Vanj, Rushan and Shugnan districts under the Restoration of Sustainable Landscapes in the Republic of Tajikistan project, known as RESILAND Tajikistan.
Specialists assessed pasture conditions and productivity, as well as the effectiveness of measures including rotational grazing, temporary fencing, improved water supply and restoration of vegetation.
Productivity up 20–30% in Vanj and Rushan
Six pasture user associations operate in Vanj district, managing a total of 368 hectares. Of these, 296 hectares have been improved through rotational grazing and temporary fencing.
At a four-hectare demonstration site managed by the Rovand association, restrictions on grazing helped grass grow to 55–65 centimeters, while vegetation cover reached 70–80%. Productivity stood at 16.7–17 tons of green mass per hectare.
Overall, pasture productivity among the associations in Vanj increased by an average of 20–30%.
In Rushan district, four pasture user associations manage 2,344 hectares, of which 1,895 hectares have been improved through grazing rotation and fencing.
On protected plots, productivity reached 2–2.6 tons of green mass per hectare, equivalent to 0.67–0.87 tons of dry mass. Monitoring showed these figures were significantly higher than on open pastures.
The project is also supporting horticulture. At a demonstration site managed by the Barakat association, 500 fruit trees were planted, around 480 of which remain in good condition. A 5,000-liter water tank and drip-irrigation equipment were also installed.
638 hectares restored in Shugnan
Four pasture user associations in Shugnan district manage 793 hectares of pasture, with 638 hectares already improved. Productivity has increased by 20–25%.
At a site managed by the Sajar association, fenced pasture yielded 2.7 tons of green mass, or around 0.9 tons of dry mass per hectare.
Fruit orchards are also being established on fenced plots, along with drip-irrigation systems. At the Darmorakht association, bulbous barley is being grown between rows of trees to strengthen the livestock feed base and support pasture restoration.
New orchards established in three districts
Another component of the project has been the establishment of 10 hectares of apple and cherry orchards in Vanj, Rushan and Shugnan districts, all equipped with drip-irrigation systems.
The survival rate of planted seedlings is estimated at 95–97%.
The spaces between tree rows are expected to be used for vegetables and forage crops, allowing local residents to earn additional income before the orchards reach full production.
The project also includes the construction of shelters, water reservoirs and irrigation systems, livestock crossings and on-farm canals, as well as the provision of agricultural machinery to pasture user associations.
RESILAND Tajikistan is part of the World Bank’s regional RESILAND CA+ program, which aims to restore degraded landscapes and strengthen climate resilience across Central Asia.
