Observed and predicted seasonal temperatures in northwest Mongolia
Herders note that autumn seems colder and longer. The winters are generally colder and have more snow, though 2011 had little snow compared to other years. Herders were not concerned about dzuds, or extreme winter weather conditions, as reindeer are well adapted to cold winds and deep snow. The herders sometimes experience frozen pastures (as in August 2009).
24 Mar 2012 – by Riccardo Pravettoni, GRID-Arendal.
Climate change in Mongolia
Herders from both the East and the West Taiga are concerned about the environmental changes that are taking place in their homeland. They report that snow seems to take longer to melt during springtime. Summers seem shorter and hotter, making it more challenging for the reindeer that prefer cooler temperatures. Patches of snow and ice that used to last through summer are now disappearing in mid-July.
24 Mar 2012 – by Riccardo Pravettoni, GRID-Arendal
Reindeer husbandry and political changes in Mongolia – A short history
Despite the changing political landscape of Mongolia over the last hundred years, the traditional reindeer herding system has been maintained. Nevertheless, recent political and economic transitions and upheavals have altered the Dukha community’s way of life and relationship with their natural environment and the herders now face an uncertain future.
23 Mar 2012 – by Riccardo Pravettoni, GRID-Arendal
Semi-domesticated reindeer across Eurasia
Pastoralism, or extensive grazing on rangelands for livestock production, is a key production system of the world’s dryland areas. It provides a livelihood for between 100 and 200 million people (CBD Secretariat 2010), supplies 10% of the world’s meat production through approximately one billion heads of livestock, and makes a significant economic contribution to some of the world’s poorest regions (FAO 2001; WISP 2010).
24 Mar 2012 – by Riccardo Pravettoni, GRID-Arendal
Mongolia
Mongolia geopolitical map
24 Mar 2012 – by Riccardo Pravettoni, GRID-Arendal
Reindeer herding camps in the East Taiga A snapshot from 2011
Guided tours to the reindeer herders are an established tourist attraction promoted by national and international tourism companies. In the West Taiga, tourists stay in tourist camps established beside the Shishged River, outside the summer pasture area. Herders from Camp 1 in the East Taiga prefer pastures close to the sum centre from May to September so that their camps are easily accessible to tourists.
24 Mar 2012 – by Riccardo Pravettoni, GRID-Arendal
Biomes and vegetation of Hovsgol aimag
Mongolia’s taiga is located at the southern edge of the biome in Eurasia. It is also the most southerly location of reindeer husbandry in the world. Mongolian reindeer husbandry occurs within the Shishged River watershed of the Altai-Sayan, the largest mountain range in southern Siberia. Straddling the Republic of Tuva on the Russian/Mongolian border, it is recognized as an area of global importance for terrestrial biodiversity.
23 Mar 2012 – by Riccardo Pravettoni, GRID-Arendal
English
Nomadic Herders - Enhancing the Resilience of Reindeer Herders Ecosystems and Livelihoods
Presentation by Mikhail Pogodaev to the CAFF Biennial, Yakutsk, 2013
UNPFII Indigenous Reindeer Husbandry
The impacts of land use change and climate change on indigenous reindeer herders’ livelihoods and land management, and culturally ad-justed criteria for indigenous land uses. A study submitted by Anna Naykanchina, for the 11th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, New York, 7-18 May 2012, 2nd edition.
Nomadic Herders Brochure
A 2 page brochure that gives an overview of the goals and objectives of the Nomadic Herders project.
Nomadic Herders UNEP World Environment Day Seminar
The flyer for the UNEP World Environment Day Nomadic Herders seminar in Ulan Bator, June 3, 2013
Factsheet About the Nomadic Herders Initiative
The factsheets give an introduction and overview of the Nomadic Herders initative. It is available in both English and Russian.
Input to UNFCCC’s Work on Ecosystem Based Adaptation
The Nomadic Herders project is featured in the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) work on adaptation to climate change.
Workshop Summary – Reindeer Husbandry and Loss of Grazing in Mongolia
In December 2010, the Nomadic Herders initiative held a workshop in Ulan Bator hosted by the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism to discuss challenges for sustainable land management and reindeer husbandry.
Mongolian
ӨӨРЧЛӨГДӨН БУЙ ТАЙГА. МОНГОЛЫН ЦААТНУУДАД ТУЛГАРЧ БУЙ АСУУДЛУУД.
Монголын цаатнууд болон тэдний эх нутаг тайга өнөөдөр зохицуулалтгүй уул уурхай, мод бэлтгэл, байгалийн нөөц ашиглах эрхийг нь хориглосон хууль тогтоомж, аялал жуулчлал, цаг уурын өөрчлөлтийн улмаас урьд өмнө учирч байгаагүй хэцүү бэрхшээлтэй тулгарч байна. Духачууд болон тэдний өвөг дээдэс олон зуун жилийн турш тал нутгийн зах хөвөөгөөр орших энэхүү эмзэг шилжилтийн бүс нутагт аж төрөн, эртний бөгөөд өвөрмөц хэлбэртэй цаа бугын аж ахуй эрхэлж, бүс нутгийнхаа биологийн өвөрмөц төрөл зүйлийг хамгаалахад хувь нэмрээ оруулж иржээ. Гэвч хүн ба цаа буганы хоорондох ойр харилцааны илэрхийлэл болсон цаа бугын аж ахуйн энэхүү тогтолцоо аюулд ороод байна.
НҮҮДЛИЙН ЦААЧИД” ОЛОН УЛСЫН ТУЙЛЫН ЖИЛИЙН ХҮРЭЭНД ХЭРЭГЖСЭН EALÁT ТӨСЛИЙН ЗАЛГАМЖ
Нүүдлийн цаачид” төслийг Даян Дэлхийн Байгаль орчны сан, НҮБ-ын Байгаль орчны Хөтөлбөрийн санхүүжилтээр Монгол Улс болон ОХУ-ны Засгийн Газраас хэрэгжүүлнэ. Төсөл нь ОХУ-ын Алс дорнод болон Монголын хойд хэсгийн цаа бугын бэлчээр нутгийн биологийн олон янз байдлыг хамгаалах, газрын доройтлыг бууруулахад гол үйл ажиллагаагаа чиглүүлнэ.
Даян Дэлхийн Байгаль Орчны Сан/НҮБ-‐ын Байгаль орчны Хөтөлбөр Нүүдлийн цаачид олон улсын төсөл Цаачдын амьжиргаа болон экосистемийн уян хатан чанарыг сайжруулах нь
по-русски
«Кочевые оленеводы» Информационная брошюра
«Кочевые оленеводы» – совместный проект правительств двух стран: Монголии и Российской Федерации, созданный при поддержке Глобального экологического фонда (ГЭФ) в рамках Программы ООН по защите окружающей среды (ЮНЕП).
Jointly with herders, local partners and national authorities, the project is studying the impacts of land-use change and climate change on nomadic pastoralists, and further assessing the herders’ adaptation options and opportunities. It is facilitating dialogue between various stakeholders, helping to build partnerships between reindeer herding communities, and supporting and strengthening local institutions. It is are also increasing the capacity of nomadic herders to engage in the decision-making processes concerning land use and natural resource management.
The Nomadic Herders project started in 2010 and is a joint initiative by UNEP/GRID-Arendal, the Association of World Reindeer Herders and the UArctic EALAT Institute at the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICRH).
The project is also part of the United Nation Environment Programme’s (UNEP) work on Ecosystem-based Adaptation and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project builds on the results and experiences from the International Polar Year EALAT project on climate change adaptation in reindeer husbandry.
Jointly with herders, local partners and national authorities, the project is studying the impacts of land-use change and climate change on nomadic pastoralists, and further assessing the herders’ adaptation options and opportunities. It is facilitating dialogue between various stakeholders, helping to build partnerships between reindeer herding communities, and supporting and strengthening local institutions.
It is are also increasing the capacity of nomadic herders to engage in the decision-making processes concerning land use and natural resource management.
