The Degradation of Rangelands in Mongolia: An Actor-Centered Institutionalist Approach

Abstract

In Mongolia, 65% of rangelands are degraded to variable extent compared to their reference state. Despite numerous efforts, a regulatory instrument in the form of a Rangeland Law has not yet been adopted and implemented. Previous studies have focused on the degradation of rangelands through investigations of vegetation, and of institutions responsible for land regulations. However, no study has yet attempted to analyze this regulatory gap (i.e., the absence of Rangeland Law), and studies on interlinkages between the institutional void and rangeland degradation continue to be rare in Mongolia. By employing a qualitative research method involving policy documents and semistructured interviews, this study addresses these gaps from a novel perspective by examining the institutional and actor-oriented factors that have impeded the adoption of the Rangeland Law for the past decades based on the Actor-Centered Institutionalism framework. The research findings indicate that institutional factors influence the adoption of the Rangeland Law more strongly than actor-oriented factors and that the challenges facing rangeland governance in Mongolia are deeply intertwined with political dynamics and vested interests. Addressing these challenges requires an effort to depoliticize the discourse, to prioritize sustainable management practices, and to safeguard the cultural heritage and well-being of Mongolia’s herding communities.