Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/8350

The Chinese government is currently promoting permanent settlement among nomadic tribes in dry regions. For that reason, nomadic pastoralism, which has been developed over thousands of years, is being forced to undergo drastic changes. Settling in one place has seriously affected the way of life for nomadic tribes, which use wide areas of grasslands, as they now must adapt to segregation with farmers in the use of farmlands. The real reason why the Chinese government is aggressively promoting measures to force nomadic tribes to settle is unclear, although there are various explanations given, such as to improve minority welfare, as many nomadic tribes are composed of minorities, or to facilitate national defense, as most of the regions occupied by nomadic tribes lie on the border. This thesis will explain the background of measures promoting settlement among nomadic tribes and the realities caused by forced settlement. It will also suggest how further measures should be implemented if the policy of promoting settlement does not change and argue the importance of improving the conditions.