Investigation of traditional rangeland-based husbandry system in the Baladeh-Nour, Mazandaran province

The ability of rural and nomadic communities of Iran to survive has long been dependent upon rangelands. Climatic, ethnic and tribal diversity has led to traditional rangeland-based husbandry systems that have their own calendar and animal husbandry methods in different regions of Iran. In this study surveying husbandry regime and financial balance of traditional rangeland-based husbandry systems were carried out in Baladeh-Nour (part of Central Alborz rangelands). After the initial assessment, three herders who were representative cases were identified within certain rangelands (Davilat, Chell & Baladeh). Monitoring their activities of animal husbandry and financial balance analysis was carried out in a period of one year. Field survey was done from April 2012 to  April 2013. The researcher was involved in rangeland areas at intervals of 15 days and all of the details of livestock and husbandry activities were recorded. The results showed that in this area traditional husbandry system has 5 different work seasons in each year. For financial balance of traditional husbandry systems, all of the costs and revenues were calculated during the year. The results showed that considering the financial value of the lambs, there was a daily net profit of 707460 Rials in Davilat, 696400 Rials in Chell and 814220 Rials in Baladeh had daily net profit. Eventually, it was important in this research to learn more about traditional husbandry in rural communities to increase the efficiency of livestock husbandry, to maintain active labor in rural communities and to prevent rural migration to cities.