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

Let me emphasize four points in order to summarize the findings <strong>and</strong> course
of this workshop
1. State of the art. In the initial stage of the workshop the concept of eco-shelter
was introduced. It highlighted the significant set of measures <strong>and</strong> packages that
have been undertaken within this policy framework. For the participants from
neighbouring regions it has been an eye-opening experience to note the substantial
level of investments allocated for the implementation of the eco-shelter
concept. Immediately the question came up whether ecology stops at national
boundaries or whether a trans-boundary effort is required in a globalised world.
The second aspect was highlighted in a keynote address focused on broadening
the perspective on pastoralism <strong>and</strong> rangel<strong>and</strong> management by analysing its
relationship to eco-tourism <strong>and</strong> nature protection. Here the potentials were
explored that could be developed for widening the livelihood options. Similarly
the potentials for niche production were elaborated on. Here we experienced
quite a diverse set of frame conditions. On the one h<strong>and</strong>, there are valuable
niche resources that can be utilised, incorporating the spatial expertise <strong>and</strong>
unique knowledge about useful plants, fungi <strong>and</strong> minerals by pastoralists. On
the other h<strong>and</strong>, the marketing of these valuable goods along established value
chains might attribute only a secondary role to them when it comes to sharing
the profit. Consequently there is ample scope for improvements in linking
goods from the pastoralists’ realm with affluent consumer markets. From an
analytical perspective, pastoral practices needed to be categorised in space <strong>and</strong>
time. As a result the significant transformations that are linked to external
interventions <strong>and</strong> socio-political changes could be put into a development
perspective. The goals of interventions <strong>and</strong> modernisation have significantly
changed pastoral practices that in themselves are an indicator for transformation
<strong>and</strong> modernisation packages. The interrelationship of agriculture <strong>and</strong>
animal husb<strong>and</strong>ry was explicitly highlighted in the presentation by Director
Wang. The role of both sectors, their complementarities <strong>and</strong> strategic interlinkages
to enhance production potential have resulted in a number of practical
measures that still bear additional potential <strong>and</strong> can be instrumental for the
cause of poverty alleviation.
291
> > > 9. Summary of Workshop <strong>and</strong> Closing Remarks