Pastureland management in the Gobi Region,Mongolia: between centralised and market economy,Mongolian herders looking for sustainable management systems

摘要

In Mongolia, during more than fifty years, the utilisation of water and pastureland as collective resources was centrally planed as well as the production and distribution of hay.Since de‐collectivisation,fifteen years ago, herders (re)‐learn individual management in a market economy.In a situation of great uncertainty worsened by unclear land tenure status, threat of climatic disasters, and high unemployment rate, herders'strategy is to keep as many animals as possible.In the Gobi region, recent years'droughts enhanced the scarcity of pastureland resources and raised the issues of mobility and regulation of the access to pastureland.Decision‐makers are looking for new regulation mechanisms.The EU‐funded Development of Agricultural Services Project carried out community land use planning activities in the region from 2004 to 2006.The objectives were to support local communities in assessing their pastureland and water resources,and elaborating participatory management plans.