How will the people of Inner Mongolia deal with the threat of desertification and create a sustainable future?
The grassy plains are ideal for raising camels, sheep, goats and horses. Many Han Chinese have been encouraged to migrate to the area and now make up 80 per cent of the population. The increasing demand for food and livelihood has turned much of the grassland to desert. Without action the creeping desert sands will further harm the environment, limit food production and the livelihoods of people living in the area, particularly the poor. The Mongol people and other minority groups have been forced to settle in areas away from their grasslands and their traditions. Extensive coal deposits and increasing interest in tourism could offer new sources of income for people living in the area and meet China’s growing energy demands but infrastructure is poor and increasing numbers of people will further stretch the environmental resources. Perspectives on the Global QuestionMongolian herding families The herding families have lived in the area for many thousands of years. Their lifestyle is co
