Short description of the best practice

The best practice is addressed how to generate sustainable livelihoods in the Mongolian herder economy. Sustainable rural livelihoods depend on the sustainability
of economic, social, environmental and institutional factors and investigates whether technical solutions exist to reduce pasture degradation and desertification, such as
restoring proper seasonal movements, resting and other improvements to pastures, can make underused pastureland available via investments in roads and water points,
haymaking and fencing, etc. These techniques and practices are described in detail, and many are shown to contribute positively to pasture health and productivity.|

Location

Zavkhan aimag, Arkhangai aimag, Tov aimag, Selenge aimag, Dundgobi aimag, Dornod aimag, Dornogobi aimag of Mongolia.|

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

The topography of Mongolia consists mainly of a plateau with the elevation ranging from 914 and 1524 m
(about 3000 and 5000 ft) broken by mountain ranges in the north and west. The Altai Mountains in the southwest rise to heights above 4267 m (14,000 ft). The Gobi covers a wide arid tract in the central and southeastern areas. The most important rivers are the Selenge Mörön and its tributary, the Orhon Gol, in the north. Large lakes include the Har Us, Hyargas, Uvs, and Khovsgol.|
Soil in Mongolia has been divided into following:
1. Black soil is found in Khangai, Khentii, Khovsgol provinces, Mongol Altai and Ih Hyangan Mountain
ranges, and the in the Orhon, Selenge, Onon and Ulz river valleys which are in the forest steppe region.
2. Brown soil is in the forest steppe and steppe region|
The 9 aimags located in different regions of Mongolia. The climate in these aimags is continental climate with long, cold winters and short summers, during which most precipitation falls. The country averages 257 cloudless days a year, and it is usually at the center of a region of high atmospheric pressure. Precipitation is highest in the north, which averages 20 to 35 centimeters per year, and lowest in the south, which
receives 10 to 20 centimeters.|

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Mongolian Land Law adopted in 2002 and Constitution (1992) recognises the state ownership of pastures, forests, and subsoil and water resources, thus making private ownership of these resources impossible.The Law on Land provides rights for ownership, possession, use and limited use. Possession rights may be held by citizens, economic entities and organizations for up to 60 years, with the right to extension for additional
periods of 40 years.|
Main income source is livestock breeding and small crop and vegetable growing
Average income in these aimags is $200-250 per person

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

The pasture land use is one of the challenging issues in Mongolia. The approach could play very important role for proper use of pasture land in Mongolia. That's why the approach considered as the best.

Main problems addressed by the best practice

The herdsman's understanding about the importance of the use of such collective actions.

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

The transition to the market economy led to a sharp rise in the number of herders, as well as animals such as goats, sheep, horses, camels and the cattle. It leads to overgrazing and Land degradation. The traditional methods to use the pastureland sustainably had lost during the transition period. This is the problems addressed by the practice.|

Specify the objectives of the best practice

1. To assist the herder groups in their establishment and further growing
2. To assist local administrations to provide services to the herder groups.

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Activities are mostly undertaken by Pasture-User Groups with support from their local governments. The project assisted to the local Governments for providing the services.
The project "Green gold" assisted the herders in the areas of the project. During the project implementing period there were established 189 pasture user groups.

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

N/A

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Mongolian Society for Range Management|Ikh toiruu-49,
Bayanzurkh district, 12th microdistrict
Ulaanbatar, Mongolia
Phone: +976 11 70151458
E-mail: dorligsuren@greengold.mn

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

Green gold project, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation|

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• National initiative – non-government-led

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

1. Herders and pasture user groups
2. Local governments

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

1. The herder groups were involved in testing and using of the approaches.
2. Local Governments considered the approaches as a tool to solve the problems and played role to encourage the establishment of herders groups and their further actions.

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Yes

By means of what?

• Participatory approaches

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

The improved pasture management will play important role for coping with DLDD.
The local Governments in neighboring aimags started ti interest the establishment of pasture user groups
Herders in neighboring soums were interested and motivated to establish herders' groups and cooperate
When the pasture use will better the productivity of the animal husbandry will be improved.

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

The use of such best practice will be very good tool to show the herders the advantage of the collective actions.

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

The best practice will play important role for sustainable use of pasture land and consequently there will be positive impact on biodiversity and climate change.

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Yes

Where?

To other provinces of Mongolia. The best practice was introduced on several workshops.

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Yes

Specify which type of incentives:

• Policy or regulatory incentives (for example, related to market requirements and regulations, import/export, foreign investment, research & development support, etc)

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

As result of the cooperation the herders' income will be increased
Due to climate change the herders face challenges i.e severe winter, hot summer. This condition led to the successful implementation of the approach.|
The best practice will led to proper use of pasture land and consequently it will influence positively on ecosystem.

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

At which level?

• Local
• National

Related to human resources

The well trained specialists are very important to introduce the best practice

Related to technical aspects

Relevant training and hand books are very important for the herders that they understand the benefit.