Jianzhong, Ma. 2003. "The Changing Pastoral Knowledge: A Case Study in NW Yunnan, P.R. China." Presented at "Politics of the Commons: Articulating Development and Strengthening Local Practices", Chiang Mai, Thailand, July 11-14, 2003.

Abstract

"This study was mainly conducted in Lazha Natural Village, Zhongdian county, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Region, Yunnan province, China. To analyze the dynamic nature of Tibetan pastoralism, this study does not only focus on pastoral knowledge system per se, but the process of knowledge articulation. In addition, local strategic response to environment and outside intervention were also explored. Hence, this case tries to study the dynamism of pastoral knowledge under such context.

"This study has noticed that over long history of practice, through accommodating to their environment, learning to live with what it offered instead of changing and moulding the landscape to suit their needs, Tibetan people have accumulated rich pastoral knowledge. This study further found knowledge is not separated as scientific vs local, scientific vs traditional as many of us have assumed. In practice, however, knowledge system is complexity and the local people are trying to adapt to new circumstances by articulating both these different forms of knowledge."