DISENTANGLING CONFLICTS IN PASTORALISM: GENESIS, ARBITRATION AND INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Increasing human population and reduced resource availability is expected to result in conflicts owing to the vicious cycle of irrational resource use and management. Worldwide, mobile herders are caught in conflicts brought about by changing policies, shifting user rights and climate change. This study explored different types of conflicts mobile herders in Bhutan face, existing arbitration forums and changes being experienced, against the backdrop of new land law that sought to nationalize grazing areas. Research information was collected through qualitative in[1]depth interview with 33 informants and seven focus group discussions with mobile herders, residents downstream living adjacent to herders’ grazing areas and government agents. Results revealed mobile herders face various types of conflicts but not necessarily lead to neo-Malthusian and Hardinian situation. Old traditional institutional arrangements and formal government structures are being rendered defunct by new legislations, causing confusion and varied interpretations. With the new land law now under implementation and having nationalized all grazing areas, how these conflicts transform and impact the mobile herders is yet to be seen. Much of the conflicts are brought on to the mobile herders, owing to their way of life and new policies, and not of their making. Consistent policy interpretation and sustained tenurial rights will reduce conflicts herders face. Prior participatory consultation and information sharing with the constituents would enhance understanding and ownership of such policy changes and reduce conflict.