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Seminomadic individual herding

Type: Approaches

Creation: 2010-02-23 00:00   Updated: 2017-07-05 16:15

Compilers: Christian Wirz

Reviewers: David Streiff

Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied
  • Country: Tajikistan
  • Region/ State/ Province: Region of Republican Subordination
  • Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Faizabad
  • Map: View Map

Description of the SLM Approach

Short description of the Approach

Pasture management by a single herder, assisted either by an employee or by his own grandchildren, in collaboration with the habitants of the nearby village Karsang.

Detailed description of the Approach

Aims / objectives: The herder chooses his territory by the criteria of biomass, vegetation cover and availability of surface water. In his work he gives special attention to fattening the animals, to not losing any of them and to giving back the right animals to the right tenant at the end of the season. For him it is important to be sincere with the tenants and to pay for lost animals.

Methods: Every method applied serves the target of having an obeying herd. The herder works with lots of patience. In the first two weeks he pays very much attention to keeping the herd together, so the animals get used to each other. The rotational grazing scheme also fulfills the requirement of fattening the animals. Grazing the animals by night-time is a method to make the animals obey better. Part of the work is the daily control of the herd to identify sick animals and treat them.The animals are by the way not led by the herder, but rather accompanied by him.

Stages of implementation: After apprenticeship the herder is entrusted with animals from the village and with the generated income can then gradually build up his own herd.

Role of stakeholders: The herder is responsible for the relation with his animals, with the villagers and with the forest department (contract).

Photos of the Approach

Image Herder with his herd on the land of forest administration
Herder with his herd on the land of forest administration
  • 📍 Above Karsang, Faizabad / Tajikistan
  • 📷 Christian Wirz (Switzerland)
Image Herders on the way back to southern Tajikistan with their herd.
Herders on the way back to southern Tajikistan with their herd.
  • 📍 Next to Karsang, Faizabad / Tajikistan
  • 🗓 2008-10-09
  • 📷 Christian Wirz (Switzerland)
Image The herder gathering his animals after the noon-time rest.
The herder gathering his animals after the noon-time rest.
  • 📍 Above Karsang, Faizabad / Tajikistan
  • 🗓 2008-05-09
  • 📷 Christian Wirz (Switzerland)
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