Theme 7-2: Capacity, Institutions and Innovations for Sustainable Development--Poster Sessions
Description
Semi-nomadic pastoralists in Bhutan live in high altitude rangelands where they seasonally migrate with yak and cattle herds from 3,000m to 5,000m. Population increase, overgrazing and climate change in eastern Bhutan have led to severe land degradation, winter fodder shortage and reduced milk production per head for herding families. This paper describes how Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were used to design a rangeland rehabilitation and livelihoods improvement program with herders in Merak district from 2016 to 2019. The aim was to restore degraded rangelands, improve pastures, develop savings schemes, resolve conflicts and increase conservation knowledge. The approach involved gender sensitive capacity building, on-ground works, action research and social learning. Six SDGs were addressed over three years, SDG 1. No Poverty; SDG 4 Quality Education; SDG 5 Gender Equality; SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth; and SDG 15 Life on the Land. Poverty in Merak district is higher than the rest of Bhutan due to remoteness and lack of livelihood alternatives. Two women’s savings groups were formed in 2017 with 148 members, each investing 100-150 Ngultrum per month (US$2-3). In two years, the groups saved (US$3,700) with (US$2,363) borrowed by 10 households for enterprises such as cheese making, wooden bowls, small shops, carpentry, homestays and livestock. The community were trained in organisational and financial management which increased their confidence and skills in working together and resolving conflicts. Eroded rangeland areas were fenced, reforested and checkdams installed. Pasture was sown over 80 hectares at 3,000m and silage produced for winter feed. Collaborative learning between the forest and livestock agencies, environmental NGOs and the community led to declaration of special protection zones, a red panda conservation action plan, junior ranger clubs and a wool processing centre. Challenges included communal areas where families could not agree on whether to improve pasture which required fencing investment. The SDGs provided a useful framework for achieving and monitoring outcomes of integrated rangeland management and livelihood development.
Citation
Millar, J. E. and Tenzing, K., "High Altitude Rangelands and Pastoralism in Bhutan: Using Sustainable Development Goals to Address Land Degradation and Poverty" (2022). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 9.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/24/7-2/9
Included in
High Altitude Rangelands and Pastoralism in Bhutan: Using Sustainable Development Goals to Address Land Degradation and Poverty
Semi-nomadic pastoralists in Bhutan live in high altitude rangelands where they seasonally migrate with yak and cattle herds from 3,000m to 5,000m. Population increase, overgrazing and climate change in eastern Bhutan have led to severe land degradation, winter fodder shortage and reduced milk production per head for herding families. This paper describes how Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were used to design a rangeland rehabilitation and livelihoods improvement program with herders in Merak district from 2016 to 2019. The aim was to restore degraded rangelands, improve pastures, develop savings schemes, resolve conflicts and increase conservation knowledge. The approach involved gender sensitive capacity building, on-ground works, action research and social learning. Six SDGs were addressed over three years, SDG 1. No Poverty; SDG 4 Quality Education; SDG 5 Gender Equality; SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth; and SDG 15 Life on the Land. Poverty in Merak district is higher than the rest of Bhutan due to remoteness and lack of livelihood alternatives. Two women’s savings groups were formed in 2017 with 148 members, each investing 100-150 Ngultrum per month (US$2-3). In two years, the groups saved (US$3,700) with (US$2,363) borrowed by 10 households for enterprises such as cheese making, wooden bowls, small shops, carpentry, homestays and livestock. The community were trained in organisational and financial management which increased their confidence and skills in working together and resolving conflicts. Eroded rangeland areas were fenced, reforested and checkdams installed. Pasture was sown over 80 hectares at 3,000m and silage produced for winter feed. Collaborative learning between the forest and livestock agencies, environmental NGOs and the community led to declaration of special protection zones, a red panda conservation action plan, junior ranger clubs and a wool processing centre. Challenges included communal areas where families could not agree on whether to improve pasture which required fencing investment. The SDGs provided a useful framework for achieving and monitoring outcomes of integrated rangeland management and livelihood development.
