Strengthening Collective Rangeland Governance: Inter-Conservancy Grazing Coordination for Sustainable Pasture Management

We held an inter-conservancies grazing coordination meeting at Shulmai Conservancy Headquarters, bringing together representatives from Shulmai, Maiyanat, Naibunga Upper, and Ilmamusi CFA. The meeting included conservancy boards, management teams, grazing committees, and local administration leaders, reflecting a multi-stakeholder approach to rangeland governance.

Held at a critical moment following the onset of the March–May rains, the meeting focused on coordinating wet season grazing plans and strengthening collaboration across shared grazing landscapes to ensure long-term pasture sustainability and preparedness for the upcoming dry season.

Participants reported that rainfall has been well distributed across the conservancies, resulting in improved pasture regeneration and widespread grass sprouting. While this presents a positive ecological recovery phase, it also highlights the need for structured grazing coordination to prevent overuse and secure pasture for the dry season.

Building a Coordinated Grazing System

Each conservancy shared progress on wet season grazing planning. Shulmai emphasized unity and collective responsibility as the foundation of effective grazing management across shared landscapes. Naibunga Upper reported that it has already engaged community representatives in developing grazing plans despite ongoing security challenges. Maiyanat Conservancy committed to finalizing its grazing plan in collaboration with neighboring conservancies, while Ilmamusi CFA reaffirmed its participation in joint planning processes.

Naibunga upper grazing committee meeting

The conservancies collectively agreed to finalize a coordinated wet season grazing plan within the coming week, reinforcing a shared commitment to landscape-level coordination.

Protecting Shared Grazing Blocks for the Dry Season

A key outcome of the meeting was agreement on the protection of strategic shared grazing areas to ensure pasture availability during future dry periods. These include:

• Lariakorok Grazing Block (shared by Maiyanat, Shulmai, Ilmamusi CFA)

• Naisukut and Nkaimurunya Blocks (shared by Naibunga Upper and Shulmai)

Grazing committees committed to joint monitoring and enforcement, ensuring these critical dry-season reserves remain protected during the wet season.

What This Means for Rangeland Resilience

This coordination effort demonstrates a growing shift toward collective rangeland governance, where conservancies are working beyond administrative boundaries to manage shared ecosystems.

By aligning grazing plans, strengthening communication, and protecting key pasture reserves, conservancies are building resilience against seasonal variability and long-term climate pressures.

The meeting reaffirmed that sustainable rangeland management depends on unity, coordination, and shared responsibility across conservancies.