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

Figure 1: Gorno-Badakhshan – Pasture utilization in the Eastern Pamirs
(design <strong>and</strong> © Hermann Kreutzmann)
2 Current <strong>Management</strong> of Pastures <strong>and</strong> the Development of Livestockbreeding
According to data from a science-based system of monitoring the agricultural
economy in the Pamirs 96.4 % of the area (757 thous<strong>and</strong>s hectares) consists of
pastures. A significant decline of the green cover, low harvests, <strong>and</strong> predominance
of rough <strong>and</strong> nearly indigestible fodder during the winter season <strong>and</strong> a
predisposition of extensive usage of the field are problems that are being faced
in this region. This results in the exploitation of pastoral areas located in the
central part of the mountain range in order to meet the requirements for animal
fodder.
In the summer pastures livestock grazing begins in the middle of June <strong>and</strong> lasts
until mid-September, after which the animals are taken to the winter pastures.
These pastures are situated on the wide valleys between the hills <strong>and</strong> in gorges
among the mountains.
Early spring is a critical time for the animals, as the winter pastures have not yet
grown but driving the animals to the lowl<strong>and</strong>s is not yet possible.
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