𝐈𝐘𝐑𝐏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

… 𝒚𝒂𝒌 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔, 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉
𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆

By Kezang Choden

At its 76th session in 2021–2022, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2026 as the
International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026). The declaration marked the
launch of a global campaign aimed at highlighting the economic, environmental, and social
importance of rangelands and recognizing pastoralists as their key custodians.

The campaign also calls for increased responsible investment and better adapted policies to
support the pastoral sector. The initiative was led by the Government of Mongolia and later
endorsed by the Council of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Since then, it has gained wide international support, with more than 300 organizations from
over 60 countries joining the campaign. Among them is the International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD), which officially pledged its support in 2023.

The IYRP 2026 campaign is guided by an inclusive, multi-stakeholder platform. Its activities are
coordinated through an international support group and regional working groups. FAO leads the
overall global coordination and is responsible for reporting progress to the United Nations.

Rangeland ecosystems extend across nearly two million square kilometres of the Hindu Kush
Himalayan (HKH) region, covering up to 60 percent of its geographical area. These landscapes
stretch from the eastern Tibetan (Xizang) Plateau to the cold, arid deserts at the western end of
the Hindu Kush. They provide a wide range of goods and services, directly sustaining local
pastoral communities and indirectly supporting millions of people living beyond these
rangelands in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.

To draw attention to the critical challenges faced by pastoralists and rangelands, and to reflect
the shared nature of these challenges worldwide, ICIMOD will promote sustainable rangeland
stewardship, pastoralism, and the cultural diversity of rangelands across the Hindu Kush
Himalayan region throughout the year. The initiative will also showcase glimpses of the diverse
lives, landscapes, and cultures of pastoralist communities across the HKH.

In Bhutan, pastoralism remains a vital source of sustenance for highland communities, even as it
faces growing challenges. Tshewang, the Gup of Laya Gewog in Gasa Dzongkhag, said that
more than 50 households in the gewog continue to raise yaks and depend on yak-based income
for their livelihoods.

He noted that changing climate patterns are increasingly affecting yak herding. He explained that
rising temperatures and shifting weather conditions have reduced the availability and quality of
grazing grasses, directly affecting the health and productivity of yaks.

“These changes have made it more difficult for herders to maintain traditional grazing practices,”
he said. Tshewang also expressed concern over the declining interest among the younger
generation in continuing pastoralism. He said many young people are seeking alternative
livelihoods, which threatens the continuity of traditional herding practices that have been passed
down through generations.

To address these concerns, he shared that the gewog has formed a local group called Laya Gaki
to create a platform for discussion with residents. “The group aims to bring community members
together to discuss issues affecting their livelihoods and to identify ways to improve the overall
wellbeing of the people,” he said.

He further pointed out that household incomes in the gewog have been decreasing, largely due to
the combined impact of climate change, reduced pasture quality, and declining livestock
productivity. The Gup stressed the need for sustained support and focused attention to protect
pastoral livelihoods and ensure the long-term resilience of highland communities.

Dorji Tshering, a yak herder from Sakteng Gewog in Trashigang Dzongkhag, shared that his
herd size has declined significantly over the past decade. “Around ten years ago I owned more
than 90 yaks, but due to my advancing age and increasing challenges in herding, I now raise
about 50,” he said.

He explained that climate change has added to these difficulties, with rainfall becoming
increasingly unpredictable. “Delayed and irregular rains have reduced the availability of drinking
water in grazing areas, leaving yaks stressed and affecting their overall health,” he said.

Dorji Tshering also expressed concern over the lack of interest among young people in
continuing traditional yak herding. “The demanding nature of the work, combined with uncertain
returns, has discouraged many youths from taking up pastoralism as a livelihood,” he said.

He warned that if the current trends continue, yak herding could face a serious decline in the
future. “The gradual reduction in herd sizes, coupled with climate-related pressures and the
absence of younger herders, raises fears about the possible disappearance of yaks from the
highlands, along with the traditional way of life built around them,” he said.

A community-driven platform is bringing together yak herders from Bhutan, Nepal, India, and
Pakistan, creating a shared space for collaboration across borders. The platform aims to amplify
the voices of herders and provide a structured channel to direct investment toward sustainable
pastoral practices. By strengthening cooperation among pastoral communities, it seeks to address
common challenges such as climate change, declining pasture quality, and limited market access.

The network enables herders to share knowledge, raise concerns, and participate more actively in
discussions related to rangeland management and pastoral livelihoods. It also serves as a link
between local communities, development partners, and policymakers, helping ensure that
investments respond to the real needs of pastoralists while supporting long-term sustainability.

Alongside this effort, a cultural documentation initiative is focusing on preserving the rich
heritage of pastoral communities. Through photography, oral legends, and traditional songs, the
project captures everyday life, beliefs, and practices that have been passed down through
generations. The documentation highlights the deep connection between pastoralists, their
livestock, and the landscapes they depend on.

The initiative is vital at a time when traditional pastoral cultures are under pressure from social
change and environmental stress. By recording and sharing these cultural expressions, the project
aims to raise awareness, strengthen community identity, and ensure that the heritage of pastoral
communities continues to be recognized and valued.