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Changes in Transhumant Agro-pastoralism in Bhutan: A Disappearing Livelihood?

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Abstract

This paper presents research on changes in the practice of transhumant agro-pastoralism (TAP) in Bhutan within the context of global changes to pastoralism. Households practicing TAP migrate their cattle to lower elevations during winter to access pastures and gain employment. Information was gathered from in-depth interviews (n = 24 households), focus groups (n = 7) and a semi-structured survey (n = 75 households) from six villages. Nine government and non-government agency staff and six livestock extension staff were involved in interviews and focus groups respectively. There has been a 31 % decline in the number of households practicing TAP between 1990 and 2010, due to farm labour shortage, alternative livelihood choices, government policies and climate change. Nevertheless, TAP practice persists, forming the mainstay of many families. The historical legacy, economic and social importance of cattle and a desire to gain formal rights to common land keeps TAP alive today. We conclude that TAP is likely to continue to decline as Bhutan develops, however, households need to be supported to make informed choices about their future.

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Notes

  1. Tsamdro is a Bhutanese term for grazing areas including pastureland, meadows or rangelands in general. Many areas registered as tsamdros are in government owned forests.

  2. Ngultrum (Nu.) is the Bhutanese currency. Average conversion rate in 2010 was USD1 = Nu.50

  3. Norpons were professional herders employed by the royal families, monastic bodies and rich families to look after their cattle, often involving the transhumant system. Some norpons of royal family members and monastic bodies still exist, although rich urban families have given up cattle.

  4. Northue is a type of social capital where a social allegiance is forged through sharing the ownership of cattle and thus responsibility of looking after the herd. Northues are commonly found among people from different altitudinal regions sharing the responsibility of looking after the animals in different seasons, while also utilizing their services and produce. This system is gaining popularity in the face of household labour shortages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Charles Sturt University, Albury-Wodonga, NSW, Australia

    Kuenga Namgay, Joanne E. Millar & Rosemary S. Black

  2. Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF), Thimphu, Bhutan

    Tashi Samdup

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Namgay, K., Millar, J.E., Black, R.S. et al. Changes in Transhumant Agro-pastoralism in Bhutan: A Disappearing Livelihood?. Hum Ecol 42, 779–792 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-014-9684-2

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