RT Report
T1 Changing Taiga: Challenges for Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
A1 RID-Arendal, 
A2 Johnsen, Kathrine
A2 Alfthan, Björn
A2 Tsogsaikhan, Purev
A2 Mathiesen, Svein
K1 Mongolia
K1 reindeer
K1 pasture
K1 hunting
K1 health
K1 tourism
K1 sustainable development
SN 978-82-7701-101-1
YR 2012
FD 2012
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/8061
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/8061
NO This report examines the current conditions, pressures, and transitions affecting reindeer husbandry among the Indigenous Dukha community in northern Mongolia. It documents how a long-standing livelihood system based on small-scale reindeer herding, hunting, and seasonal mobility is increasingly constrained by environmental change, unregulated mining, forest logging, tourism, hunting restrictions, and socio-economic transformation. Drawing on field investigations, interviews, community meetings, and workshops, the report describes the ecological context of the taiga, the cultural and economic role of reindeer, and the impacts of policy and market transitions since the socialist period. It outlines present challenges related to herd size, animal health, land access, food security, and cultural continuity, and records perspectives expressed directly by reindeer herders regarding their situation and needs.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 19, 2026