Changing Life Of Tibetan Herdsman

July,27 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

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Tibet is home to some of China’s biggest sheep and cattle farms. Needless to say, Tibet is a paradise for herdsmen. For thousands of years, the fertile farmlands have been the core of herders, yet now the life is changing as time going by.
Traditional Tibetan herdsman followed a tranquil and nomadic lifestyle. Despite of the low temperature and thin air, herders raise their cattle and sheep. For many of them, it’s the only way of life that they know of. Chimey Lhatson, a Tibetan herder said “Mother Nature has given us clear skies, abundant water, green grass and so many animals. We should pass down this lifestyle by our ancestors.”

For many other Tibetan herdsmen like Chimey Lhatson, the innumerable sheep and cattle are blessings form Buddha. However some herdsmen like Kunsangyi have found that the restrict grazing actually fits the sustainabledevelopment better

The 500 sheep he raised 10 years ago in Gansu province faced crisis as a consequence of overgrazing. The grassland was unable to hold so many animal any more. In 2003 Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture started to take care of the pasture, banning grazing on barren grasslands. Maximum herd sizes were assigned to each piece of land. Herders could receive subsidies if they keep the restrictions.
Kunsangyi got about 2.2 U.S. dollars per acre in compensation, and established a barn which could keep his animals warm and steady in winter with government funds. To comply with official rules, he reduced the number of his sheep to 300 head. “Now my sheep have enough food and they grow strong and fast”, she said.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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