Sustainable Pastoralism on the Tibetan Plateau

Sustainable Rangelands Sustainable Pastoralism

in Yak Herding Areas of the Tibetan Plateau & Central Asia

International Rangeland Congress 2016 (Saskatoon, Canada) Plenary Session: High Altitude Rangelands of the World

J Marc Foggin, PhD

UNIVERSITYOF CENTRAL ASIA

Sustainable Rangelands Sustainable Pastoralismin the Greater Tibetan Plateau

High Altitude Rangelands of the World…

Sustainable Rangelands Sustainable Pastoralismin the Greater Tibetan Plateau

High Altitude Rangelands of Asia

Tibetan Plateau | Himalayan Range | Mountains of Central Asia

Tibetan wild ass (kiang)

Bar headed geese

Grey wolf

Lammergeyer

Upland buzzard

Plateau pika

Tibetan fox

Snow leopard

Wild yak

Domestic yak

Tibetan Pastoralism

Sustainability

Rangelands

Pastoralism Tibet & CA

Distribution of yak (and yak hybrids)

Plan for today…At a broad level:What is our goal?How do we get there?

— need for an enhanced model of Sustainability

And more specifically:Five key messages

(lessons learned)

Sustainable Rangelands

What is our main goal as scientists?To develop ‘perfect models’ of economic behaviour, on

the basis of well-studied rangeland ecosystems? (or)To develop (possibly ‘sub-optimal’) integrative models,

and recommend interventions that will be adopted by herders? – value of grasslands ‘richer’ than economics

Sustainable Pastoralism

Sustainable Rangelands

Sustainability = adoption of strategiesThe processes of searching for and developing sustainable

solutions may be as important as final product themselves

Adoption often requires a ‘sense of ownership’ — enhanced through local participation, ideally with a co-development of ideas, also a supportive financing & policy environment

Sustainable Pastoralism

How do we get there?

In the High Altitude Rangelands…An integrative model = multiple dimensionsEnvironmental (livestock, ecosystem services, biodiversity)

Economic (utilization of natural resources, human needs)

Social (development aspirations, incl. cultural aspects)Also must consider: local histories, culture, politics…

Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability Different perspectives…

each with vastly different literatures

Different forms of pastoralismNomadism

Seasonal movements, varying from year to yearOften without any village or permanent

settlement

TranshumanceSeasonal migrations, moving to higher pastures in

summerRegular encampments, winter settlements, some

farming

… and everything in betweenPastoralism Rangelands

Sustainability

Pastoralist regions

IUCN | Ecosystem Management: World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism (WISP)

Rangelands (natural environment)Where are rangelands? What forms? What extent?What ecosystem goods and services? What value?

Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability

Rangelands & Wetlands

Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability

Climate change

Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability

Provisioning

SupportingCultural

Regulating

Ecosystem Services &

Human Wellbeing

Total Economic Value (TEV) ?

Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY – an expanded synthesis!Four Pillars of

SustainabilityEconomy / developmentEnvironment / ecologySocial dimensionsCultural aspects

Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability

How can we achieve decisions by the resource users that are favourable both to their socioeconomic situations and their rangeland environments?

SUSTAINABILITY – an expanded synthesis

Herders’ involvement in the processes of problem identification, of research (data collection) and of solution development are certainly critical elements.

SUSTAINABILITY – an expanded synthesis with Community & Culture

Yak Husbandry Areas

Five key messages High altitude rangelands are social-ecological systemsPastoralism is one of the most sustainable food systems

in the world — particularly in marginal (semi-)arid landsVast areas of rangeland are situated in protected areas

(incl. indigenous & community conserved areas / ICCAs), which may be considered either opportunity or constraint

More participatory processes and equitable ‘access and benefit sharing’ approaches should be advocated

Adaptive governance of resources is critical, especially in the context of rapid environmental & climate change

1. Social-Ecological Systems (SES)The high altitude rangelands are coupled social-ecological systemsHumans & nature, coupled

systems, interdependence Conservation of rangelands is

premised not only on biodiversity and ecological issues per se, but also – fundamentally – on ensuring that a sustainable pastoralism is practiced, i.e. multiple human dimensions are considered

2. Sustainable Food SystemsPastoralism is one of the most sustainable food systems in the world — particularly in marginal (semi-)arid lands

Proven sustainability over decades and centuriesFlexible and responsive decision-making processesThreatened by imposition of socio-political structuresBenefits from pastoralism include ecosystem services

Four often-overlooked facts about pastoralism (Davies & Hagelberg 2014)

Mobility of livestock is essential to maintain the health of dryland ecosystems

Four often-overlooked facts about pastoralism

Intensive livestock systems can degrade the environment

Four often-overlooked facts about pastoralism

Sustainable pastoral systems are more efficient, productive and resilient than more sedentary agricultural systems in rangelands when all factors and benefits are counted

Four often-overlooked facts about pastoralism

Pastoralism is a universal issue, as pastoralists share many environmental and economic challenges and opportunities

3. Protected Areas in High AsiaVast areas of rangeland are situated in protected areas (incl. indigenous & community conserved areas / ICCAs) - which may be considered either opportunity or constraint

4. Participatory ApproachesMore participatory processes and equitable ‘access and benefit sharing’ approaches should be advocated

4. Participatory ApproachesMore participatory processes and equitable ‘access and benefit sharing’ approaches should be advocatedCollaborative management – for environment

resources, also for education and health services

4. Participatory ApproachesHerders cooperatives for local development,

search for environmentally and socio-culturally sound solutions

4. Participatory ApproachesSustainable financing with local management

(CDRFs)

4. Participatory ApproachesGiving voice to local communities, marginalized

groups

5. Adaptive GovernanceAdaptive governance of resources is critical, especially in the context of rapid environmental & climate changePastoralism – adaptive and responsive over timeComprehensive value of rangelands and extensive

forms of pastoralism should be highlighted, awareness raised

Dr J Marc Foggin marc.foggin@ucentralasia.org foggin@plateauperspectives.org

UNIVERSITYOF CENTRAL ASIA