Normads of the Tibetan Plateau rangelands in western China. Part three. Pastoral development and future challenges.
Year: 1999
Type: article
Abstract: Modern pastoral development began in Tibetan nomadic areas in the late 1950s and 1960s.Thousands of years of traditional pastoralism were radically and abruptly changed with the formation of Chinese communist collectives and all animals and the tools of production became the property of the collectives.Large, state farms were established in many nomad areas.Nomads, who previously were largely responsible for their own livestock, although usually under the control of a large estate or monastery, now had their animals put into collectives and the collective made decisions regarding production and the use of the rangeland.The government, through the collectives, provided inputs for fencing, veterinary services, crossbreeding with improved breeds, and the growing of artificial forage.In many areas, pastures were fenced and set aside for winter grazing or as special lambing and calving pastures.Nomads built houses around commune headquarters and constructed barns and shelters for livestock.Many rangelands were plowed up to plant grain.In 1983, the Household Responsibility System was initiated in Tibetan nomad areas.Communes were dissolved and all animals divided equally among the nomads.Each family became responsible for its own livestock production and the marketing of livestock products.Rangeland remained the property of the state but nomads used the rangeland communally, often in groups that reflected the previous communal structure.In other areas, the traditional tribal structure, in existence prior to the 1950s, became the basis for rangeland tenure.
Author: Daniel J. Miller
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2993842697