Pastoralism and Rangeland Management on the Tibetan Plateau in ...

The feasibility of the fodder availability project is based on the following factors:
(i) The central government has a macro policy for supporting pastoral
development <strong>and</strong> building an ecological shelter.
(ii) The pastoralists are yearning for a new life <strong>and</strong> to be part of the
national rejuvenation.
(iii) The agricultural areas, particularly grain-producing areas in Mainl<strong>and</strong>
China, have an unlimited supply of straw <strong>and</strong> other residues. Mainl<strong>and</strong>
farmers can also increase their income through sales of surplus
by-products.
(iv) The central government gives support to large-scale water conservancy
projects in Tibet. In the next few years, nearly 5 million new hectares of
farml<strong>and</strong> will be irrigated.
(v) The Qinghai-Tibet Railway has completed electrification in the section
from Xining to Golmud. A modern logistics centre has been built in
Nagqu, with adequate transport, loading <strong>and</strong> unloading capabilities.
(vii) A number of research institutes <strong>and</strong> enterprises have made great strides
in the research, development <strong>and</strong> marketing of niche livestock products.
(vii) Part of the Cordyceps-related revenues can be directed towards
supporting the development of livestock production.
(viii) The building of physical <strong>and</strong> social infrastructure connects the
pastoral communities with the outside world <strong>and</strong> opens a new era of
development for the pastoralists.
If we seize these opportunities, then development of rangel<strong>and</strong> pastoralism in
Tibet will certainly reach new heights.
6 Conclusions <strong>and</strong> Recommendations
To summarize the discussions, we come to a few conclusions regarding poverty
alleviation <strong>and</strong> development on the Tibetan Plateau. We must adhere to the
principles of “People First <strong>and</strong> Sustainable Development”. The householdbased
participatory approach to poverty alleviation should be implemented.
We should rely on strong scientific <strong>and</strong> technological support, ensure fodder
availability <strong>and</strong> promote an increase in the slaughter rate. We should integrate
pastoral practices <strong>and</strong> agricultural resources, stabilize household operations <strong>and</strong>
improve the value of aid in order to make more contributions to the development
<strong>and</strong> ecological protection of pastoral communities.
We recommend that policy makers pay more attention to promoting an
integrated agricultural <strong>and</strong> pastoral development model for the alleviation of
237
> > > 5. Pastoral Practices <strong>and</strong> their Transformations