Desertification Learning Quest: Define

Scenario - Sustainable living in vulnerable areas The government of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China is concerned about the impact of desertification on people of the region and has called a forum of all affected and interested people. Each group will present their ideas about protecting the environment and traditional cultures while generating income for survival and development of the region. People at the forum will then have to agree to a list of actions which address all the perspectives. How will the people of Inner Mongolia deal with the threat of desertification and create a sustainable future? Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China has traditionally been the home of the herding Mongolian people. The grassy plains are ideal for raising camels, sheep, goats and horses. Many Han Chinese have been encouraged to migrate to the area and now make up 80 per cent of the population. The increasing demand for food and livelihood has turned much of the grassland to desert. Without action the creeping desert sands will further harm the environment, limit food production and the livelihoods of people living in the area, particularly the poor. The Mongol people and other minority groups have been forced to settle in areas away from their grasslands and their traditions. Extensive coal deposits and increasing interest in tourism could offer new sources of income for people living in the area and meet China's growing energy demands but infrastructure is poor and increasing numbers of people will further stretch the environmental resources. Perspectives on the Global Question Mongolian herding families The herding families have lived in the area for many thousands of years. Their lifestyle is connected to the seasons moving their livestock from the low desert areas to the higher summer grasslands and moving back down again as the days become shorter and colder. The annual gathering for the Namad Festival is the highlight of the social year. Traditionally the higher the number of stock you have the wealthier you were considered to be but degradation of the land is reducing the productivity of livestock and crops. It is becoming harder to survive and there is concern that these families will be unable to continue living in the area. The cities are already crowded and they fear losing their heritage. Environmentalists Increasing population along with increased numbers of animals and expanding cropland is leading to overgrazing and desertification. Water resources are being over used as crops are planted to supply food and income. Trees are being used for firewood faster than they can be replaced. Many of the current programs to address desertification are not working because there is little consultation with the people living in the area and traditional lifestyle and knowledge is being ignored. The energy demands of major towns make a ready market for the coal and other mineral which are in the region but proper safety and environmental safeguards are required. Alternative fuel sources such as biogas, solar and wind power could provide alternatives which protect the environment. Government officials Billowing clouds of dust have caused environmental and health problems for the people in the cities. Government officials are encouraging herders to reduce the numbers of stock and even move to towns in order to protect the desert and marginal crop lands. They are encouraging the development of mining and new industries in the area to provide alternative sources of income, and carrying out extensive tree planting along the borders of the desert areas to create a green wall against the encroaching dunes. Mining companies There are massive coal and mineral resources in the region which can be developed more fully to meet the growing energy demands of the country. They are undeveloped as there are limited financial resources to install proper environmental controls and construct the road and rail infrastructure to cart materials to processing areas. In some areas there are small community-operated mines but the coal seams are very deep, making the coal difficult to extract. Numerous accidents because of limited safety controls have led to the government closing many mines to prevent further accidents. Overseas mining companies are interested in forming partnerships to invest in new and safer mines to extract the coal. Tourism companies The spectacular scenery of the deserts, the hot springs, grassy plains and interesting bird life make the environment a great attraction for tourists. The fascinating cultures of ethnic people with their colourful dress, music and dance, distinctive circular tents and horse racing provide great interest to visitors. Ancient temples and artwork are other attractions. For those who want to be active there is surfing in the sea of sand in jeeps or on motorcycles and riding horses and camels. The great distances and limited road and rail network mean that tourists need to have weeks available to travel to these areas.

YIK homestead © Adrian Williams, ACIL Desert gardening © ACIL