Rangelands cover about 40% of the Earth's land area and are essential to ecosystems and rural livelihoods. In Central Asia and Russia’s steppe zones, pastoralism plays a major role in food production, local economies, and cultural identity.
Rangelands provide:
Forage for millions of livestock;
Income for nomadic and semi-nomadic communities;
Biodiversity and landscape preservation;
Carbon storage and water regulation functions.
The Problem of Degradation
Despite their value, rangelands face widespread degradation caused by:
Overgrazing and livestock concentration;
Climate change and recurring droughts;
Land conversion and infrastructure development;
Lack of governance and monitoring.
According to UNCCD, up to 70% of rangelands in Central Asia show signs of degradation, including soil depletion, erosion, vegetation loss, and desertification. These impacts reduce productivity, threaten food systems, and trigger rural depopulation.
Central Asia and Russia: Shared Challenges
In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia, common issues include unregulated grazing, poor infrastructure (wells, fencing, logistics), and a decline in transhumance and pasture mobility.
In Russia (e.g. Altai, Kalmykia, Tyva, Bashkortostan), there is visible rangeland overgrowth, degradation of native steppe, and biodiversity loss.
Sustainable Solutions
UNCCD, FAO, IFAD, and other partners promote sustainable rangeland management (SRM) as a tool for land restoration and climate adaptation. Key actions include:
Mapping and zoning of rangelands with digital tools;
Rotational grazing and rehabilitation of degraded areas;
Community-based pasture management;
Integration into Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets;
Respect and application of traditional nomadic knowledge.
