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The presentation discusses pasture, the most fundamental field of migratory herders in Dariganga, Mongolia. Herders classify the pasture-based on three main factors: livestock features, seasonal characteristics, and ecological conditions. a. Livestock components: Herders determine the pasture-based on the types of livestock. By the approximate measure of livestock pasture, a field of sheep is approximately within 5-7 km territory around the campsite, lamb pasture is 0.5-1 km, cattle pasture is 7-10 km, calves’ pasture is 1 km, and horse pasture is from 10 km to 30 km territory. The few camels are grazing in the field akin to horse flocks. b. Seasonal characteristics: In winter, herders often graze their sheep on the south-facing slope of the mountains. Because the place is protected from the cold and strong wind. In early spring, pastoralists often graze their sheep on ditches at the foot of the mountain and the mouth of the valley. The reason is that new grass grows early in the areas. When fresh greens grow enough in the late spring, they herd their sheep in the high places with open water resources until autumn. The autumn place is separated from the territory of different seasons in Dariganga. The Gobi is the best pasture for dwellers in autumn because its plants, such as leek, dried at the end of the season. c. Ecological conditions: Dariganga pastoralists, who migrate along the vertical direction, consider their homeland’s geographical condition. For example, dwellers of the Ikhbulag unit settle down in high places, where some open water resources, such as Ikhbulag, Arburd, and Nüden brooks, exist in the summer season. Alternatively, they dwell in Gobi during the autumn. Then, they move to winter territory, the most southern part of the unit. The topographical condition of the winter place is hilly, so it protects herds from the cold and strong wind. In spring, they move to gentle hills between winter and autumn territory. Private herders preferred a quantity of livestock to quality breeding animals. Due to many herds, more affected their life positively. Unfortunately, increasing the herds did not successfully work because of limited pasture capacity. For example, severe zuds harmed the shepherds of Mongolia, who lost over 10 million herds in 1999-2000 and 2009-2010. Consequently, contemporary herders start to organize pasture management in their territory and often change their pastures every season. The core reason for pastoral movement is protecting grassland from degradation.
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