Community Governance and Social Boundaries: Influence on Rangeland Restoration in the Hindu Kush Himalayas

Abstract

Rangeland ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) are critical for sustaining pastoral livelihoods, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. However, these landscapes face increasing degradation due to overgrazing, land-use changes, and the impacts of climate change. Community governance and social boundaries play a pivotal role in shaping the success or failure of rangeland restoration efforts in this region. This study explores how local governance structures, customary practices, and social boundaries, both physical and social, influence access to, and management of, rangelands in Nepal’s Himalayan communities. Using a case study approach, we examine community-led pasture management initiatives and analyze how factors such as power dynamics, social exclusion, and inter-group cooperation affect restoration outcomes. Findings reveal that while community-based governance offers significant potential for sustainable rangeland restoration, entrenched social divisions, unclear resource boundaries, and unequal decision-making power often limit inclusive participation and equitable benefit-sharing. The study underscores the need to strengthen collaborative governance frameworks that recognize traditional knowledge, address social hierarchies, and facilitate cross-boundary coordination among pastoral groups. Enhancing community capacity and building trust among diverse stakeholders can help overcome these challenges, leading to more resilient and sustainable rangeland ecosystems in the HKH region.

Presenters

Ayush Raj Gyawali
Student, PhD, The Chinese University of Hongkong, Hong Kong

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Assessing Impacts in Diverse Ecosystems

KEYWORDS

RANGELAND RESTORATION, GOVERNANCE, HERDERS, SOCIAL BOUNDARIES, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY