A Condensed History of the Public Administration of Pastoralism in Mongolia

Abstract

This article provides a historical overview of the administration of mobile pastoralism in Mongolia, with a focus on the period from 1924 to the early 2010s. The historical links between pastoralist land use and governance administrative structures provides a context in which to better understand changing legal frameworks in Mongolia today. Common development discourses and research on contemporary pastoralism tend to overlook the many ways in which herders participate in local governance institutions. An aim of the article is to demonstrate that both environmental and political conditions have shaped the organisation of pastoralism over time. The legacy of these histories and how they are enacted today should be a consideration in the planning and design of rural development projects.