Intro
Foreword
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Author
Abbreviations
1: Overview
1.1 Understanding Forage Quality
1.2 Influence of Forage Quality on Livestock Productivity
1.3 Diversity in Forage Resources of the Himalayan Region
1.4 Nutritional Diversity in Forage Resources
1.5 Regional Imbalances and Demand and Supply of Forages
1.6 Insight of Livestock Production and Productivity
1.6.1 Indian Perspective
1.6.2 Himalayan Perspective
References

2: Impact of Forage Availability on Livestock Rearing and Socioeconomic Aspects
2.1 Livestock Rearing: An Indispensable Component of Hill Agriculture
2.2 Importance of Livestock Production in Rural Economy of Himalayan Region
2.2.1 Contribution of Livestock to National and Regional Economy
2.2.2 Socio-economic Status of Farmers Depending on Livestock-Based Agriculture
2.3 Constraints in Achieving Optimal Livestock Productivity
2.3.1 Feeds and Fodder Shortage
2.3.2 Poor Livestock Extension Services
2.3.3 Poor Credit and Marketing Facilities
2.3.4 Poor Veterinary Services

2.3.5 High Prices of Commercial Feeds
2.3.6 Poor Animal Breeding Facilities
2.3.7 Gender Monoply in Livestock Activities
2.3.8 Poor Animal Management System
2.3.9 Lack of Knowledge of Anti-Nutrients in Different Forage Species
2.4 Conventional Practices of Livestock Feeding
2.4.1 Grazing in Natural Pastures and Grasslands
2.4.2 Dry Fodder Feeding
2.4.3 Dry Fodder Mixture with Green Fodder
2.4.4 Concentrate Feeds
2.5 Nutritionally Compromised Fodder Resources for Livestock Feeding
2.6 Scope of Non-conventional Forages in Livestock Feeding
References

3: Forage Resources in Himalayan Region
3.1 Grasslands, Pastures and Rangelands of Himalayan Region
3.1.1 Grasslands and Pastures of North-West Himalayan Region
3.1.2 Grasslands and Pastures of Eastern Himalayas
3.1.3 Rangelands of the Indian Himalayan Region
3.1.4 Grassland Distribution Pattern
3.1.4.1 Sehima: Dichanthium type
3.1.4.2 Dichanthium
Cenchrus
Lasiurus Type (Semi-Arid Zone)
3.1.4.3 Phragmitis
Saccharum
Imperata Type (Moist Subhumid Zone)
3.1.4.4 Themeda
Arundinella type
3.1.4.5 Temperate Alpine Type

3.2 Grasses Predominant in Himalayan Region
3.2.1 Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)
3.2.2 Perennial Rye Grass (Lolium perenne L.)
3.2.3 Setaria (Setaria anceps Schumach.)
3.2.4 Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.)
3.2.5 Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata L.)
3.2.6 Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.)
3.2.7 Napier-Bajra Hybrid (NB Hybrid)
3.2.8 Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)
3.2.9 Bahia Grass (Paspalum notatum Flügge)
3.2.10 Tripsacum laxum Nash.
3.2.11 Mission Grass [Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schultes]