The Nomadic Mongolian Pastoralists

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that pastoralism is the practice of human populations using the products of herd animals for survival in areas with scarce other resources; however, most pastoralists are nomadic only between seasons because the seasonal changes in their environments require movement to areas with greater grazing capabilities. The author points out that the Mongolian pastoralists, many of whom are now herding for profit instead of subsistence, are increasing the size of their herds using modern technology resulting in overgrazing, which is challenging the ecology of the nation. The paper concludes that, unless measures are taken, either by the Mongolian pastoralists themselves or by the government of Mongolia, the subsistence of the Mongolian pastoralists may be in jeopardy, centuries of tradition will be lost and an economic pattern of survival, which has sustained a nation, will be challenged.

From the Paper:

"The political patterns, too, have changed drastically. As mentioned, the changeover from a Soviet leadership to a Democratic government has also meant drastic changes to landscape protections, an issue which directly affects pastoralist communities. Following the Soviet collapse, a number of vital grassland areas have been placed under national protection in the new democracy. According to Bedunah and Schmidt (2004), by the year 2000, over 13 percent of Mongolia was under federal protection. These restrictions mean fewer lands for herd animals, and with an increase in herding due to a loss of economically viable positions in urban areas, the results are a lack of sustainability and biodiversity within the existing rangelands."

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