Environmental Impacts of pastoralists movement on the natural rangeland in Butana area, Sudan

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the environmental impact of pastoralist movement on the natural rangeland in Butana area of Sudan. For data collection, afield survey was started in the first of July and ended late September 2011. A random sample of 407 pastoralists’ households in Butana area was chosen to collect primary data through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The data were coded, summarized, tabulated and processed. Analysis was conducted using (SPSS) computer program. The results were presented in the form of a frequency distribution. It was found that (80.1%) of pastoralists reported that rangeland situation was poor. The majority of pastoralists (79.1%) said that the current rangeland problem is soil degradation. Also, (88.2%) said that dry season / drought has the major effect on the rangeland. In addition, all respondent pastoralists reported that new plant species have invaded the area. About (77.1%) of respondents said expansion of rain-fed agriculture in the study area reduced the area of the natural rangeland and that there were conflicts between farmers and herders on rangeland. The study recommended that rangeland should be improved by government through availing animals’ services, reseeding and proper distribution of water points.