Transhumant Grazing systems in Temperate Asia
• Pastures of family farms belong to the state and grazing
rights are leased.
Western Himalaya
• The transhumance systems are similar throughtout.
• Overwintering in lowlands gives herders access both to
markets and opportunities for seasonal employment
• Herders belong into minority tribes
Bhutan case study
• No crops are grown, only a few vegetables
• Stock numbers are on raise and andpastures generally
hard grazed
• Bush enchroachment is exerbated by a ban of pasture
burning to improve wildlife habitat
• Major problem is winter mortality of younger and weaker
animals due to malnutrition
• Oats have shown considerable promise but seed supply
has still to be organized
Nepal case study
• Two grazing systems were studied both in raising chauris
for milk
• First system is highly commercialized and based around
a milk purchasing organization
• The second has no outlet of fresh milk, only ghee and