Living Land

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These factors lead to the degradation of grassland vegeta-

tion, which is considered a major trigger for sandstorm

occurrence. To solve these problems, it is necessary to

realize comprehensive management and utilization of

grasslands through planned pasture use suitable to their

conditions. In this regard, JIRCAS conducted a case study

aimed at creating pasture-use plans with the autonomous

participation of local nomads residing in the Taragt and

BaroonBayn-Ulaan soums (districts) in Ovorkhangai prov-

ince in mid-south Mongolia.

In Taragt soum, the grasslands had been used by the

native nomads in a traditional way. Recently, however,

the frequency of nomadic movement on these grasslands

had decreased, causing permanent use of these pastures

throughout the year and progressive localized overgraz-

ing. Degradation of the pastures used by nomads during

winter had been particularly pronounced, and the necessity

to reduce it was pointed out. In making the pasture-use

plans, we first divided all the nomads into groups that use

the same winter pasture and conducted vegetation surveys

for pastures in collaboration with each group. Thereafter,

we prepared the plans based on the reduction of local

pasture load by widely dispersing grazing livestock through

increased frequency of movement from winter to summer

or autumn pastures.

On the other hand, BaroonBayn-Ulaan soum is located in

the Gobi Steppe region where conditions for grass growth

are more severe; thus, the amount of grasses produced

there has been constantly insufficient, making it is neces-

sary to graze traditionally in the pasture of the adjacent

soum. However, since there are no existing rules or plans

regarding grazing in this pasture, pasture-related conflicts

between nomads of these soums, as well as vegetation

degradation, have occurred. To remedy the situation, we

included in the pasture-use plans a rule for this pasture,

indicating that no grazing throughout all seasons using

the whole area is allowed. This plan was discussed and

confirmed by nomads of both soums.

These plans cannot be expected to deliver the anticipated

outcome unless the nomads adopt them. To ensure their

implementation, necessary procedures to formalize them

were taken at the People’s Assembly of each soum and at

the regional villages (Bag). In cases where a plan extended

across an adjacent soum, an agreement between the govern-

ments of these soums would be concluded and the role of

each soum would be clarified to allow smooth implementa-

tion of the plan.

The adoption of these pasture-use plans resulted in an

increase in the movement of the nomad population from

one pasture to another from winter to summer or autumn in

Taragt soum, from 31 per cent in the year prior to the creation

of plans to 52 per cent the following year, and 74 per cent the

year after. Also, at BaroonBayn-Ulaan soum, with the conclu-

sion of agreements between governments, which had not been

done before, pasture utilization extending across neighbour-

ing soums was carried out according to the plan.

The procedures for creating the pasture-use plans, consul-

tations or agreements, monitoring and evaluation after

implementation were summarized in the guideline

for

drawing up the plans. We hope that this guideline will benefit

not only our study site in the Ovorkhangai province but also

other areas in Mongolia.

A group of nomads discusses the plan for the pasture they use at BaroonBayn-Ulaan soum

Image: T. Matsumoto

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