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Adaptive Strategies Adopted by Herders against the Decollectivization of Rangeland in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China

Zhe, Y; Cili, J; Mace, RH; Juan, D; Pengpeng, B; Guozhen, D; (2019) Adaptive Strategies Adopted by Herders against the Decollectivization of Rangeland in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China. Mountain Research and Development , 39 (4) D11-D20. 10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-19-00034.1. Green open access

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Abstract

The domestication of the yak on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau probably dates back to 7300 years ago, when the rangelands were also utilized for cultivation. Over time, a complete system of herding and rangeland management developed. In recent years, however, the rangeland contract policy and nomadic settlement project have reduced the mobility of herds through the decollectivization of the rangeland. This process has destroyed the traditional nomadic lifestyle and caused difficulties, forcing the herders to adapt to new ways. This paper considers 3 issues: (1) the implementation of the contract policy and the settlement project - 2 important policies that have caused the decollectivization of rangeland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau; (2) the effects of the 2 policies on herding at 2 sites; and (3) the adaptive strategies employed by herders against the constraints of the policies. The study incorporates a literature review, fieldwork, key-person interviews, and focus group discussions. Community-based self-management of the rangeland appears to be the best strategy for herders. Policies such as group herding can help herders increase herd mobility, which is crucial for sustainably raising livestock on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Type: Article
Title: Adaptive Strategies Adopted by Herders against the Decollectivization of Rangeland in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-19-00034.1
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-19-00034.1
Language: English
Additional information: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Dept of Anthropology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10109175
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