| Author | Cheng, Liang |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.RD-12-01 |
| Subject(s) | Pastures--Economic aspects--China--Mongolia
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| Note | 97 p. : ill. |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Research studies project report ; no. RD-12-01 |
| Abstract | Pastureland is one of the important sources of livelihood for local people. The lives of local herders are closely linked to condition of pastureland. This study assessed causes and effectsof pastureland degradation on the household economy through field survey and analysis in Inner Mongolia, China.The study was carried out in Horqin Right-Wing Middle Banner in Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Two Aiil were selected for analyzing evolution and status of pastureland, causes and of pastureland degradation and its effects onhousehold economy. Information was collected through a household survey, in-depth interview, focus group discussion, key informants survey and observation.Pastureland in Inner Mongolia had experiences quite several stages of changing policy related to management and property right from liberation of Inner Mongolia until 21rd century. To date 2010, in two study areas still remain more than 70% of total land area is pastureland, and more than 85% of local household belongs to herding household. However, there are over 80% of pastureland occurreddeterioration or desertification in different degree in Inner Mongolia. The direct causes of degradation of pastureland are shrinking of area and growth of population, and the tough climate condition like drought and strong wind aggravated the situation of vulnerability. Apart from those factors, lack participation of local herders on process of pastureland management under centralized decision-making system and inappropriatepastureland administrative policies are main inducement. The pastureland degradation effects on the percentage livestock income of local household economy was significantly through changing of herd’s size, flock structure, individual productivities and reproductive performancesof livestock. The declining percentage of livestock income was 10% in both two study areas and its direct cause is the decreasing amount of on-farm supplementary forage because of pastureland degradation, and then it influences livestock’s productivity and reproductive performances. However, as per result from data analysis, the total household annual income was increasing at the same time, becauselocal herders were seeking alternative income sources like cropping, migrant labor and processing mill. The policy adjustment and improvement of institutional arrangement is needed for meeting with effectiveness of local pastureland conservation through enhancinglocal herders’participation and sharing information on pastureland management and planningprocess, and also strengtheningawareness and capacity building of local herders and officers from local line agencies about sustainability of pastureland and utilization. |
| Year | 2012 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. RD-12-01 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thapa, Gopal Bahadur |
| Examination Committee(s) | Soparth Pongqua;Ahmad, Mokbul M |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | IFP-Ford Foundation, USA;AIT Fellowship |