International year of rangelands and pastoralists 2026

At its 76^th session in 2021-22, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026). Hence, began a unique global campaign #IYRP2026 that promotes the economic, environmental and social importance of rangelands, and of pastoralists as their custodians; and advocates for increased responsible investment and adapted policies for the vital pastoral sector.

Initiated by the Government of Mongolia and endorsed by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Council, this campaign is now supported by over 300 organisations in more than 60 countries, including the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), officially pledging support for the IYRP campaign in 2023.

The campaign is driven by an inclusive, multi-stakeholder platform, coordinated through an international support group (ISG) and regional working groups, with FAO leading the global coordination and reporting to the UN. Read more about IYRP 2026 here.

Rangelands and pastoralism in the HKH

Rangeland ecosystems stretch across nearly two million square kilometres of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, covering as much as 60% of its geographical area from the eastern Tibetan (Xizang) Plateau to the cold, arid deserts of the Western end of Hindu Kush, providing numerous goods and services directly to the local pastoral societies and indirectly to millions living these rangelands, in the countries of Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.

These rangelands are primarily recognised for providing forage to livestock and for supporting rare wildlife at the high altitude. But their value extends far beyond this:

Being the traditional rangeland users, the pastoralist communities are particularly hard hit by the gradual and silent demise of the rangelands. Despite their habitat and livelihoods dwindling, their voices are habitually marginalised in the policy making processes for rangeland management.

What gets undermined in this neglect, is the process of co-evolution of pastoralism and rangelands in the HKH, shaping and being shaped by one another.

What we, as a broader human community, risk losing in neglect, is the rich traditional knowledge system of pastoralists – accumulated, curated and practiced over generations – for adapting to these ecosystems, and preserving and managing them sustainably.

Protecting and restoring the HKH rangelands, promoting the livelihoods and wellbeing of the pastoralists therein and preserving their indigenous knowledge and culture, therefore, is not only a local concern—it is a regional and global imperative.

ICIMOD’s work on HKH rangelands

ICIMOD’s commitment to the HKH rangelands dates back to 1999 with our Regional Rangelands Programme (1999-2009), which was developed with the aim of helping to alleviate poverty among rangeland dependent mountain people and improving the productivity of rangeland ecosystems in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya-Tibet Plateau region.

From 2010 to 2022, our work on rangelands was integrated within a transboundary landscape management framework incorporating research, capacity building, and transboundary cooperation.

A group of women pastoralists in Rasuwa. | Photo: Ramesh Timilsina/ICIMOD

Since 2023, we have prioritised rangeland management for multiple benefits as an important intervention area for regenerating and restoring the HKH landscapes. The main aim of this intervention is to support our regional member countries (RMCs) – Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan- in adopting inclusive policies and innovative practices to conserve, restore, manage, and sustainably use rangelands/wetlands and reverse their degradation.

The intervention is working towards i) generating robust data on the pastoral sector in HKH for policy support and advocacy for inclusive and sustainable rangeland management, ii) piloting innovative nature-based solutions for improved rangelands management, and iii) strengthening national and regional networks of pastoralists and institutions for rangeland management, by promoting technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building.

ICIMOD at IYRP 2026

IYRP 2026 presents a strategic opportunity for ICIMOD to bring the HKH rangelands and its pastoralist communities into the spotlight. Leveraging our unique position as a regional knowledge organisation and a catalyser of community collaborations and collective actions for regional climate resilience, we are using this opportunity to champion the rights, knowledge, and innovations of HKH pastoralists, ensuring their integral role as stewards of high-altitude landscapes is recognised in national agendas and global dialogues on sustainability and resilience.

While ICIMOD’s rangelands experts are members and contributing to three IYRP thematic working groups: Biodiversity, Gender and Pastoralism and Mountain Pastoralism, we are celebrating this landmark year through a range of events including:

Hosting the Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women:

A global convening to celebrate and elevate the roles of women pastoralists, enabling knowledge exchange, leadership, and advocacy for gender-responsive pastoral development.

Launch of the HKH Yak Herders’ Network:

A community-driven platform connecting yak herders from Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Pakistan. This network serves as a voice for herders and a mechanism to channel investments toward sustainable pastoralism.

Launch of the HKH Regional Publication on Rangelands and Pastoralism:

A comprehensive publication offering evidence-based insights into the state of rangelands across the HKH, providing a foundation for informed policy and restoration strategies.

Cultural Documentation of Pastoral Heritage:

A creative initiative to preserve and promote the cultural richness of pastoral communities through photography, oral legends, and traditional songs.

Pastoral Storytelling Video Production:

A visual storytelling initiative to showcase the lived realities, cultural values, and resilience of HKH pastoral communities in the face of change.