WHY MAP?

BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM ANALYSIS

Mountain pastures, covering over 25% of the Earth’s terrestrial area, are vital for both biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of people. Pastoralists and minority communities often face a multitude of challenges that exacerbate their vulnerability, including land alienation, climate change, and socio-political marginalization. As agricultural expansion and urban development threaten their traditional grazing lands, these groups struggle to maintain their livelihoods, lifestyles and cultural practices. Additionally, they often encounter systemic discrimination, exclusion, conflicts with co-existing communities, and lack of access to essential services such as education and healthcare, which further perpetuates cycles of poverty. Conflicts over resources, compounded by weak legal protections, corruption, institutional fragmentation, and illegitimate land grabs leave them in precarious situations, undermining their democratic rights and pushing them further into the margins of society. This complex set of problems is illustrated in Diagram 1 and subsequent paragraphs.

Erosion of Biocultural Heritage and Local Institutions

Transhumance and pastoralism are biocultural heritages, as recognized by UNESCO and FAO. Although surrounded by numerous myths and misconceptions, subsistence pastoralism is most sustainable strategy of ecosystem conservation and livelihood sustenance. Industrial revolution and mechanized agriculture led to extinction of pastoralists in majority of areas across the world. Yet, in remote localities (especially highlands and mountains), sizeable communities of shepherds/ pastoralists and transhumants are trying hard to survive. The major challenges of their survival relate to changing land use, exclusion of Indigenous herder communities, fragmentation of habitats, enclosure of commons and pastures, adverse agriculture and livestock policies, globalized market, and devaluation of biocultural heritage. Such burgeoning challenges have affected the sustainability of both the pastures (rangeland) ecosystem services and viable pastoralism and transhumance. As a result, pastoralists’ livelihoods, livestock productivity and, ultimately, national economy are jeopardized. In rapidly changing climate, pastoralists’ livestock and lifestyles have resilience to produce in and adapt to changing situations, while rest of the lifestyles, including agriculture, are often fragile and unable to cope with climate variations.

Social Disintegration, Divide and Conflicts

Pastoralists and minority communities are increasingly facing social disintegration, driven by conflicts over resources, discrimination, and climate change. These challenges not only threaten their livelihoods but also exacerbate divisions within society. The following are the results of social divide and disintegration:

1. Resource Conflicts:
   • Over 50% of pastoralists report conflicts with agricultural land users due to encroachment on traditional grazing areas.
   • Climate change is projected to decrease pastoral lands by 20-30% in the next few decades, intensifying competition for dwindling resources.
2. Social Marginalization:
   • Minority groups often experience systemic discrimination, with studies showing they have 30-40% lower access to basic services like education and healthcare compared to majority populations.
   • Surveys indicate that 60% of pastoralist communities feel excluded from local governance and decision-making processes.
3. Economic Vulnerability:
   • Pastoralist households are twice as likely to live below the poverty line compared to sedentary populations, as they rely heavily on livestock for their income.
   • The loss of livestock due to conflict and climate shocks can lead to income declines of up to 50% in affected communities.

Weaker Resilience of Pastoralist Communities

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 200 million people globally depend on pastoralism for their livelihoods, yet many of these communities are marginalized and lack adequate resources and support systems. The economic fragility of these people is compounded by their reliance on livestock, which is highly susceptible inter alia to climate variability. For instance, drought conditions have led to livestock losses of 30-50% in some regions, resulting in severe income declines and food insecurity. The encroachments of common lands and urban development often leads to the dispossession of pastoralists from their traditional grazing lands. The International Land Coalition notes that up to 60% of pastoral lands have been lost in the last few decades due to land tenure insecurity and government policies favouring industries and large-scale agriculture. This loss not only undermines their economic base but also threatens their cultural identity and social cohesion. Research from the Minority Rights Group International highlights that minority communities often lack representation in local governance, leading to policies that ignore their needs. In many regions, pastoralists face violence and intimidation from both state and non-state actors, with a significant increase in reported conflicts over land and resources, as noted in the 2021 Global Report on Internal Displacement. The combination of economic fragility, dispossession, and oppression results in heightened vulnerabilities for pastoralist communities.

Lack of Coordinated Action by Civil Society

Unfortunately, the lack of coordinated action by civil society organizations has hindered effective responses to the pressing issues of minority people, particularly mobile pastoralists. While numerous organizations focus on various aspects of pastoralist life — such as environmental conservation, human rights, and economic development — their efforts often operate in silos. This fragmentation prevents the creation of comprehensive strategies that address the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced by these communities. For instance, while some groups work on securing land rights, others may focus solely on education or healthcare, neglecting the broader context that ties these issues together. Many civil society organizations (CSOs) lack adequate representation from pastoralist and minority groups in their leadership and decision-making processes. This gap leads to disconnect between the needs of the communities and the initiatives being proposed. As a result, interventions may not be culturally appropriate or may overlook critical local knowledge and practices, rendering them ineffective. Without a unified voice, the concerns of pastoralists and minority communities often go unheard in policy discussions. Civil society organizations frequently miss opportunities to advocate for policies that would protect land rights, enhance social services, and promote sustainable practices. This lack of advocacy can perpetuate systemic inequalities, leaving these communities vulnerable to external pressures.

Why do CSOs (including NGOs) ignore these marginalized and vulnerable communities? Civil society organizations (CSOs), including NGOS, overlook marginalized and vulnerable communities, including pastoralists and minority groups, for several reasons, such as:

• Resource Limitations: Many CSOs and NGOs operate with constrained budgets, leading them to prioritize projects that are more likely to attract funding or have a wider impact, often at the expense of smaller, marginalized groups.
• Lack of Awareness: Some organizations may not fully understand the specific needs and contexts of these communities. Without proper outreach or engagement, they may miss the opportunity to address their unique challenges.
• Focus on Urban Areas: Many NGOs concentrate their efforts in urban settings where issues like poverty and inequality are more visible, often neglecting rural and mountainous areas where pastoralist communities reside.
• Complexity of Issues: The interconnected challenges faced by marginalized groups can be complex and multifaceted, making it difficult for organizations to develop effective strategies without extensive local knowledge and collaboration.
• Representation Gaps: If pastoralist and minority communities are not represented within the leadership or decision-making processes of CSOs and NGOs, their specific needs and voices may be overlooked in program planning.
• Short-Term Goals: Organizations often focus on projects with measurable short-term outcomes to satisfy donor requirements, which can lead to neglect of long-term capacity-building efforts that are crucial for supporting vulnerable communities.
• Political and Social Barriers (including Oppression): In some regions, political climates may discourage NGOs from engaging with marginalized communities, particularly if those groups are involved in land rights struggles or advocacy that challenges state policies.
• Cultural Misunderstanding: CSOs may lack cultural sensitivity or knowledge about the traditions and lifestyles of pastoralist and minority communities, leading to the development of inappropriate or ineffective programs.
• Capacity Gaps: A large number of CSOs have capacity gaps, thereby failing to address these issues requiring a shift in focus toward inclusivity, understanding, and long-term commitment, ensuring people’s voices are heard and their needs prioritized.

Degradation of Mountain Pastures and Rangelands

According to FAO reports, overgrazing by livestock has led to 70% of rangelands becoming degraded in some regions, especially in areas like the Himalayas and Andes, where pastoralism is central to local economies. Soil erosion, compaction, and loss of plant diversity are major consequences of overgrazing, which diminishes the land’s productivity and capacity to regenerate. Studies have shown that in regions such as the Tibetan Plateau, degradation of rangelands has reduced the land’s ability to support livestock, leading to a decline in rural incomes and food insecurity. Climate change compounds the problem, as rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns stress mountain ecosystems. Research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights that higher temperatures are causing shifts in vegetation zones, with species in lower altitudes moving upward, reducing the available grazing area. In areas like the Alps, studies show that snowlines are retreating, which in turn affects the water retention and ecosystem services provided by these pastures. Additionally, the conversion of rangelands into agricultural land is intensifying the problem. A 2020 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicates that habitat fragmentation due to land-use changes is affecting the migratory routes of pastoral communities, further contributing to resource conflicts and socio-economic instability in many regions.

For example, in Central-Eastern Europe, nearly 7 million hectares of the mountains are covered by open semi-natural grassland habitats (FAO, 2021). But, these grasslands (or pastures) are rapidly converted into other land uses, thereby, contributing to the climate change. Across the continents, pasture ecosystems support pastoralism that shows a specific added-value and comparative advantage in harsh territories, mostly in mountainous areas (European Commission, 2018). Yet, the grasslands and pastoralism are disappearing fast everywhere. Two problems are identified as central: 1) Degrading ecosystems of pastures; 2) Dwindling numbers of shepherds and traditional lifestyles. These two problems have emanated from several sets of root causes, secondary and immediate causes. Overall challenges have emerged in the forms of: a) environmental degradation of pasture ecosystems and land-use changes; b) decaying livelihoods of shepherds; c) erosion of shepherd’s biocultural heritage. Such challenges tend to affect the sustainability of both the pastures ecosystem services and sustainable subsistence of pastoralism in mountains.

Climate Change and Ecological & Socio-Economic Vulnerability

Climate change significantly exacerbates both ecological and socio-economic vulnerabilities among pastoralists and minority communities. Forms of these vulnerabilities are explained as under:

1. Ecological Vulnerability
   1. Altered Weather Patterns: Changes in precipitation and temperature disrupt traditional grazing patterns and water availability, making it difficult for pastoralists to sustain their livestock. For example, prolonged droughts can lead to substantial livestock losses, threatening their livelihoods.
   2. Degradation of Land: Climate change contributes to soil erosion, desertification, and habitat loss, diminishing the quality and quantity of pastureland and fodder. This degradation affects food security not only for pastoralists but also for local wildlife, disrupting ecosystems that these communities rely on.
   3. Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather Events: More frequent and intense weather events, such as floods and storms, can destroy infrastructure, displace communities, and lead to loss of livestock and crops, further threatening their survival.
2. Socio-Economic Vulnerability
   1. Food Insecurity: As traditional grazing areas become less viable, pastoralists face challenges in accessing food for their families and livestock. The increased cost of feed and water exacerbates their economic strain, pushing many into poverty.
   2. Displacement and Migration: Climate-induced resource scarcity can force pastoralists to migrate in search of better grazing lands, leading to conflicts with settled agricultural communities. This displacement often results in social tensions and loss of cultural identity.
   3. Limited Access to Resources: Marginalized communities often lack access to adaptive technologies and resources, such as improved seed varieties or irrigation systems, leaving them ill-equipped to cope with climate impacts. This further entrenches their economic vulnerabilities.
   4. Health Risks: Climate change can lead to increased prevalence of diseases among livestock and humans, straining healthcare systems that are often already under-resourced. Poor health reduces productivity and increases vulnerability to economic shocks.
   5. Loss of Livestock and Livelihoods: The decline in livestock numbers due to climate stress directly impacts income generation for pastoralists, who often rely on their herds for economic security. This can lead to a downward spiral of poverty and reliance on external aid.

Decay of Livelihoods and Traditional Lifestyles

The livelihoods and traditional lifestyles of pastoralists and minority communities in mountain areas are under significant threat from a combination of ecological, socio-economic, and systemic factors. Here’s how these factors contribute to their decline:

Climate Change:	Resource Scarcity: Altered weather patterns and extreme weather events reduce the availability of water and pasture, forcing pastoralists to migrate or adapt unsustainable practices. Livestock Losses: Increased incidences of drought and disease can decimate herds, undermining the primary source of income and food.
Land Alienation	Encroachment on Grazing Lands: Agricultural expansion and development projects often lead to the loss of traditional grazing lands, forcing pastoralists into smaller, less viable areas. Insecure Land Tenure: Weak legal protections result in dispossession, leaving communities vulnerable and unable to invest in sustainable practices.
Socio-Economic Marginalization	Limited Access to Services: Inadequate healthcare, education, and infrastructure impede the ability of pastoralists to thrive. Poor access to education keeps younger generations from pursuing alternative livelihoods. Economic Vulnerability: Many pastoralists live on the brink of poverty, with limited savings to withstand economic shocks, which further constrains their adaptability.
Fragmented Community Support	Lack of Coordination among NGOs and CSOs: The failure of civil society organizations to coordinate efforts means that the specific needs of these communities often go unaddressed, leaving gaps in support for sustainable practices. Cultural Disconnect: Many organizations lack representation from pastoralist communities, leading to interventions that do not align with their cultural practices and needs.
Political and Social Barriers	Marginalization in Governance: Limited representation in local and national governance structures means pastoralist voices are often ignored, perpetuating policies that undermine their rights and livelihoods. Conflicts with Settled Communities: As resources become scarcer, tensions with neighboring farming communities can escalate, leading to conflict that disrupts traditional practices and social structures.

Diagram 1: Logical Flow Chart depicting Cause, Action and Outcome Continuum

Exclusion of Mobile Pastoralists in Policy Processes

Undeniably, a State is formed from acquiring public resources. The political system, custodian of State, needs resources and revenues required to acquire political dominance in a democracy, particularly. Although the political dominance (through elected majority) comes from the votes of haves not and weaker constituencies, yet the political system works chiefly for the vested interests of haves and powerful groups simply because the largest share of revenue comes from those organized actors (refer to the diagrammatic expression in Diagram 2). However, certain social or economic groups organize themselves, get mobilized, and assert to influence the policy/law making institutions. But, the marginalized, weak and less-represented social groups, who are not organized and have least/fragmented voting power, are excluded or disenfranchised in the political and policy processes. This phenomenon is observed explicitly in particular case of mobile pastoralist groups (Arjjumend, 2024). The nomadic people have faced and been facing gross marginalization, deprivation, discrimination and dispossession.

Policy and law making process at international, regional and national levels has ever neglected and excluded mobile pastoralists. Wherever the grazing commons are included in agriculture or rangeland policies, still an “inequality” sounds high. Policy making process in pastoral development continues to be hampered by 1) the dominance by mainstream commercial groups, 2) prevalent biases, and 3) knowledge barriers. The Diagram 2 depicts that the powerful commercial lobbies having economic interests in rangeland resources (demanding for their projects like mining, tourism, ranching, hydropower, forestry, agriculture, etc.) have not only influenced the policy making institutions but also have occupied entire policy & legal space, mostly in their favour.

The livelihoods of pastoralists depend on the grazing commons (rangelands) through their livestock grazing. But, commercial demands of rangelands triggered its land use change, being privatized, converted to cultivated lands, reserved for nature conservation, leased for mining and oil extraction, used for governments’ mega-projects, or made inaccessible through artificial enclosures. Additionally, rangeland resources are restricted or circumvented for the grazing activities of pastoralist herders. Arjjumend (2024) has observed the following “inequalities in policy processes” in context of mobile pastoralist communities:

1. Disenfranchising and depriving the weak and economically poor;
2. Subscribing the deep ecologists and green missionaries who portray pastoralism as enemy of ecology (inherent enclosure paradigm);
3. States responding to market and powerful commercial lobbies demanding rangeland resources (grasslands, meadows, ranches, forests, etc.);
4. Competing commercial lobbies are stronger with massive inputs of capital and power, and they succeed in acquiring common lands for industrial agriculture, mining, energy projects, tourism, oil & gas exploration, etc.;
5. Most of the policies tend to be against mobile pastoralists’ existence, coupled with infringement of pastoralists’ customary rights and enclosure of grazing commons;
6. Whereas many politically active communities bargain and assert for their rights’ inclusion in policy processes, the mobile pastoralist groups still remain marginalized and alienated from the inclusion;
7. Lack of organization/institutionalization, poor mobilization and weak representation of mobile pastoralists are responsible for their persisting exclusion;
8. Least population size and demographic decline among the pastoralist communities lead to their insignificant voting power (with lack of negotiation);
9. Unequal laws and policy making brings about disastrous effects not only on the affected people but also on the Earth’s resources and regional development.

Diagram 2: De Facto Functioning of State and Affinity of Power Actors

Above analysis elucidates that the policy and legal space is filled by the powerful actors who not only push behind the weak and excluded groups from policy considerations but also succeed in grabbing and controlling the commons or public resources.

Missing Synergy of Regional International Cooperation

There is a lack of cohesive or collaborative efforts among neighbouring countries and international bodies in addressing the unique challenges faced by pastoralist and minority communities. Despite shared borders and common issues, many countries fail to coordinate effectively on policies, leaving pastoralist communities vulnerable. For instance, in the Caucasus, the traditionally nomadic herders of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan — such as the Tush and Khevsur people in Georgia and the Yörüks in Azerbaijan — face difficulties due to the restricted movement across borders, which limits their access to essential grazing lands. Moreover, international frameworks such as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), which aims to promote regional collaboration, have yet to address the specific needs of these pastoralist and minority communities effectively. The absence of coordinated policies on transboundary pasture use, water management, and climate adaptation measures has led to environmental degradation and competition over resources. In regions like the South Caucasus, where ecosystems and pastoral routes are interconnected, the lack of synergy between nations perpetuates economic challenges and deepens socio-political divides for these vulnerable groups.

Similarly, in Central Asia, the nomadic herders of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia face shrinking pastures and water resources due to climate change. Despite similar challenges, a lack of regional coordination hinders the development of sustainable solutions. The failure to harmonize policies on migration routes, livestock management, and climate adaptation leaves pastoralists and minority groups at a disadvantage, reinforcing their socioeconomic marginalization. Another example is the Carpathian region, spanning parts of Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, and Hungary, where pastoralism has been practiced for centuries by minority groups such as the Hutsuls, Boykos, and Gorals. Historically, these groups practiced transhumance, moving livestock across borders in search of seasonal grazing. However, modern national borders, combined with inconsistent land-use regulations, have disrupted these traditional migration routes. For instance, Romania and Ukraine have differing policies on pasture access and livestock movement, complicating cross-border grazing. In addition, the introduction of fences, restrictions, and EU-driven agricultural policies has reduced the mobility of these pastoralists, leading to land degradation, overgrazing in confined areas, and loss of livelihoods. The Carpathian Convention, established in 2003 to promote sustainable development in the region, has had limited success in addressing these specific transboundary pastoralist issues.

Likewise, in the Balkans, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania share significant pastoralist traditions, particularly in mountainous areas like the Rhodope Mountains. Minority groups such as the Vlachs and Aromanians have long practiced transhumance, moving flocks between summer and winter pastures across national boundaries. However, the lack of coordinated transboundary agreements on pasture use, and the introduction of EU agricultural policies in Bulgaria and Romania, have further complicated this practice. In Serbia, which is outside the EU, pastoralists face additional challenges in gaining access to grazing areas across the EU borders due to differing regulations on livestock movement, veterinary controls, and land use. The absence of a regional framework that harmonizes these policies creates significant barriers for pastoralist communities and increases their vulnerability to economic and environmental stresses.

NEED OF ADDRESSING COMPLEX PROBLEMS

In light of the above analysed problems, there is an urgent need of not only conserving and protecting pasture ecosystems but also saving the biocultural heritage of shepherds in mountain areas. Given the scenario as described above, not only the biocultural heritage of pastoralists and transhumants needs to be revived/ survived alongside the pasture ecosystems also require conservation and protection. The interplay between climate change and the socio-economic conditions of pastoralists and minority communities creates a cycle of vulnerability that is difficult to break. To mitigate these effects, it is essential to implement adaptive strategies, enhance access to resources, and promote sustainable land management practices that empower these communities to withstand the challenges posed by a changing climate. To reverse this trend, targeted interventions are needed that respect their cultural practices, promote sustainable resource management, and strengthen their socio-economic resilience. Empowering these communities through inclusive policies and supportive frameworks is crucial for preserving their way of life.

The weaker resilience of pastoralist and minority communities, rooted in poverty, dispossession, oppression, and vulnerabilities, paints a grim picture of their current plight. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, focusing on securing land rights, enhancing access to resources, and amplifying the voices of these marginalized communities. The Diagram 3 below depicts a flow to strengthen and rebuild the pastoralist communities with their participatory mandate of conserving and protecting the grazing pastures and its ecosystem services. Simultaneously, their livestock-based livelihoods need be improvised to sustain family economy and to revitalize the biocultural heritage of herding and transhumance. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to empower pastoralists and protect their vital cultural and economic contributions to society. Addressing the challenges faced by pastoralists and minority communities in mountainous areas requires a concerted and coordinated effort by civil society. By fostering collaboration among organizations, ensuring adequate representation, optimizing resource allocation, and engaging in unified policy advocacy, civil society can create a more supportive environment for these marginalized groups. Only through such coordinated action can we hope to empower pastoralists and safeguard their rights and livelihoods. Further, a stronger regional cooperation, with mechanisms that transcend national borders, is crucial for ensuring the sustainability and rights of these vulnerable populations.

Diagram 3: Objective of MAP

CSO-LED MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIP (MSP) PROPOSAL

To solve stated problems, an action through Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (MSP) is essential. Rationale behind the MSP is that only comprehensive and broad cross-sectoral cooperation can ensure that sustainable and regenerative development initiatives are imaginative, coherent and integrated desirably to address the most intractable problems. Single-sector approaches have already been tried and have proved disappointing. Working separately, different sectors have developed activities in isolation – sometimes competing with each other and/or duplicating and wasting valuable resources. Too often, working in isolation has led to a ‘blame culture’, where chaos or neglect is always seen as someone else’s fault. Thus, civil society organizations (CSOs) alone are no longer a sufficient mobilising force, and they need capable NGOs and other stakeholders. The Grassroots Institute (TGI) intends, therefore, to identify, organize, educate and support MSPs (small NGOs, shepherd groups, local governance bodies, local business groups, relevant government bodies, and academia) for their enhanced capacity/engagement to address the stated problems in the long-term.

Building upon the Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (MSP), a Mountain Alliance for Pastoralists and Minority People (MAP) is proposed. The MAP is a membership platform representing primary stakeholders (the shepherds and livestock keepers/breeders), and supporting CSOs, trade/business groups, local self-governance bodies, government organizations, academic institutions, policy groups, and international organizations. The leadership has to be with the shepherds and CSOs. TGI is committed to catalyze and facilitate the institutionalization and leadership process underlying the MAP platform In addition, large project and small projects, subsequently in the long-term, will enhance and build capacities of the Civil Society Groups, academia and other stakeholders to implement their individual and collective Action Plans. Thus, a broader MSP has to be built over next 3-5 years to address the issues surrounding social disintegration, climate challenges, lack of resilience, pastures, pasturelands, shepherds, cultural heritage, economic and ecological vulnerabilities in the region, and the resource conservation. Schematic Diagram 4 below depicts the functional outlay of the MAP.

Diagram 4: Functional Outlay of the MAP

In long-term, proposed regional multi-stakeholder forum, ‘Mountain Alliance for Pastoralists and Minority People (MAP)’, will act as umbrella alliance in the regions with coordinated functions, including expanding market linkages/space for agricultural products of shepherds and pasture tourism. In a regional context, with the mandate of pasture ecosystem protection, this initiative will prepare a foundational ground for subsequently budding cross-border and cross-regional level agricultural bridgehead projects/initiatives in mountain areas, led by different CSOs and academic/research institutions in partnerships and cooperation. In addition, capacity building of members, advocacy for land rights, action to conserve the pasture ecosystems, climate change adaptation, civil society strengthening, preservation of biocultural and cultural heritage, and empowering the local self-governance bodies will be precursor activities.

Broader frame of actions is suggested in Diagram 1. The listed broader actions are reiterated hereunder:

• Mapping and Mobilization of Civil Society and Stakeholders
• Institutionalization and Reshaping Democratic Governance
• Capacity Building of Stakeholders and Thematic Education
• Preservation of Transhumance and Cultural Heritage
• Adaptation to Changing Climate and Environments
• Environmental Conservation of Pasture Ecosystems
• Protection of Rights of Pastoralists & Minority People
• Development of Livelihoods and Veterinary Health
• Policy Advocacy and Inclusive Legal & Financial Literacy
• Crossborder Regional Cooperation & Collaborations

MAP’S OPERATIONAL STRATEGY

Institutional Arrangement

It needs first to identify small NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), shepherd groups, academic/research institutions, local governance bodies, and trade groups in the mountain areas of the region. Following the identification of potential multiple stakeholders interested in addressing the issues of pastures conservation, their profiles will be prepared using online tools embedded in MAP website. Membership framework is being evolved. Later, the membership network will be formalized and local, national, regional and international networking need to be streamlined. Thus, the Mountain Alliance for Pastoralists and Minority People (MAP) is a membership based consortium of multiple stakeholders.

The MAP includes the following as the members:

• Local Small NGOs & Associations (especially Cultural Groups, Citizen Groups, Conservation Associations, trade unions)
• Shepherd Community Groups
• Academic Institutions & Experts
• Local Village or Town Councils
• Trade/Business Groups dealing with agro-products
• National Parks (Government Bodies)

The Grassroots Institute (TGI) Canada/ Western Balkans/ Ukraine is assisting and nurturing the Phase-I encompassing the formation of MAP and Capacity & Resilience Building of the constituent members.

Functional Outline

The MAP members (Consortium Partners) will organize and coordinate activities to develop interventions in an area, preferably mountainous landscape, where pastoralist communities exist. Side by side, the Consortium Partners will also identify second tier of capable institutions/ organizations ready to work on to develop pastoralist communities and conserve the pastures together with improving the livestock and livelihoods. The projects of the members will evolve to develop livestock, veterinary health, traditional breeding, animal products, marketing, value addition, pastoral tourism and other livelihoods apart from pastures conservation, biodiversity & biocultural preservation, and adapting to climate variations.

The broader themes of the works of the MAP and the associated members may be as under:

• Mapping and Mobilization of Civil Society and Stakeholders
• Institutionalization and Reshaping Democratic Governance
• Capacity Building of Stakeholders and Thematic Education
• Preservation of Transhumance and Cultural Heritage
• Adaptation to Changing Climate and Environments
• Documentation and Multidisciplinary Research
• Environmental Conservation of Pasture Ecosystems
• Pastoralists’ Rights and Access to Grazing Resources
• Protection of Rights of Pastoralists & Minority People
• Development of Livelihoods and Pasture Tourism
• Veterinary Health, Care and Livestock Productivity
• Rangeland/Commons Policy and Legal Research and Action
• Policy Advocacy and Inclusive Legal & Financial Literacy
• Crossborder Regional Cooperation & Collaborations

PRIMARY TARGET AREAS

Eastern Europe (especially Carpathian Mountains)
Alps Mountains of Western Balkans
Central Asia (especially Pamir and Tian Shang Mountains)