Rangeland Resources and Utilization in Zorkul Nature Reserve in the Pamir Region of GBAO, Tajikistan

People in the Pamir region of Tajikistan have always depended on natural resources to sustain their livelihoods due to the regions rugged mountain nature and geographic remoteness. Huntington & Cushing, (1922:21) emphasize... [ view full abstract ]

People in the Pamir region of Tajikistan have always depended on natural resources to sustain their livelihoods due to the regions rugged mountain nature and geographic remoteness. Huntington & Cushing, (1922:21) emphasize this by saying, "the influence of European civilization has begun to reach them, but their mode of life will probably change only a little so long as they depend chiefly upon the grass of the plains and high plateaus" referring to the Kyrgyz herders in the Pamirs.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, nomadic herding has emerged as a crucial livelihood activity along with subsistence farming in the Pamir region of Tajikistan. Herders from the Murgab and Ishkashim areas of Gorno-Badaskhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), Tajikistan, seasonally move their livestock to Zorkul Nature Reserve for grazing in the summer since the reserve has excellent pasture. In the remainder of the year, shepherds from Ishakshim return to their lower-lying winter lands and graze their animals on communal lands, whereas shepherds from Murgab continue moving livestock between pastures.

Based on 45 household questionnaire surveys and 21 family interviews conducted in 2016 and 2017, we highlight similarities and differences in herding practices between the two regions. Their approaches different mainly concerning seasonal livestock and land management, including pasture rotation. Additionally, with the help of international NGOs, people in the Murgab region have found a way to institutionalize their pasture use and livestock management. On the other hand, people from the Ishakashim region still struggle with pasture and livestock management, as they do not have any formal or standard management system in place. The two approaches are quite distinct and may explain why people from Ishakashim still struggle with significantly more livestock health and land degradation problems than their neighbors.