Nomad's Sedentarisation and Rangelands Degradation in Chaharmahal-and-Bakhtiari Province of Iran: A Case Study of Sharmak, Chelgerd and Loshtar Nomadic Settlements

Nomadic animal husbandry system takes advantage of marginal lands on a sustainable basis, both ecologically and economically. This system has been negatively affected by modernity and modernization trend and sedentarisation practice has been intensified either spontaneously or organized and supported by states. Sedentarisation provides the nomads with basic needs and services relatively, however it results in destruction of flora and radius erosion of the rangelands surrounding the nomads habitat. This article is relying on field research findings to examine environmental consequences of nomad's sedentarisation. The research findings indicate that despite a decline in the number of the animals kept by settled households, qualitative indices which describe the prevalent practice and management (such as time of cattle entrance and stay duration in the rangeland, the daily grazing radius, etc) are far from ideal and it has led to intensified destruction of settled areas. The paper recommendation to resolve this dilemma include: promoting endogenous and sustainable development in nomadic areas of the province, protecting the interests of nomads, revitalizing indigenous knowledge and diversifying the livelihoods of the sedentarised nomads.