Sewan  grass (Lasiurus scindicus)

Local name: Sewan grass

Sewan is the primary grass of extremely arid parts of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner districts of western Rajasthan in the Indian Thar desert. It thrives well  under moisture  stress on sandy plains, low dunes and hummocks of this region, receiving annual rainfall below 200 mm. Until the last decade, about 80% of the total geographical area of Jaisalmer covering Nachana, West Puggal, Mohangarh, Sultana and Binjewala with 100-150 mm annual rainfall supported Sewan grasslands. For decades, these grasslands in  turn  supported an ever- increasing livestock population in the Indian desert, where animal husbandry remained the predominant occupation of the inhabitants. During years of normal rainfall, the available forage from farming, cultivable wastes, fallow and pasturelands meet only about two–thirds of the requirement of the existing livestock. The situation becomes serious during years of subnormal rainfall. The yield of this grass is about 10 tonnes of fodder per hectare in 4-5 cuttings a year.

Nutritive value

It is one of the most productive and suitable grass for arid and semi arid zones. It contains 8-10% protein during early growth. It becomes woody and fibrous unless grazed after every 20-30 days.