Desertification in Central Asia

Desertification and Regeneration: Modeling the Impact of Market Reforms on Central Asian Rangelands (DARCA)  

Insight worked alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists studying the environmental impacts of current grazing practices on semi–arid Central Asian rangelands. Our Participatory Video methods complimented and enhanced other more traditional forms of data collection such as remote sensing, pasture analysis and herd monitoring.

Hearing from the real experts

Ecological study transects were selected in Turkmenistan and Kazakstan. Participatory Video was used to work with communities living in these zones enabling them to explore and communicate their perspectives on desertification and their ideas for improved rangeland management.

The semi nomadic herders in these regions were given a powerful voice and their views helped guide the wider scientific research. Local scientists were trained in Insight’s PV methods and   witnessed the benefits of incorporating the views of local pastoralists into their research and dissemination activities.

Working with women

Many agencies working in Central Asia complain about difficulties of working with women in these Muslim countries. Insight’s experience has been completely different, this must be largely due to the engaging PV methods we employ. Whilst women are not always able to take part in community meetings, PV work with groups of women, enables them to have their opinions heard and be fully involved in highlighting issues of importance to them.

Video as a Powerful Dissemination Tool

Two participatory videos were produced each made up of 5–6 short films. The film made by shepherds in Kazakstan was shown on Kazak TV to millions of rural viewers and won a prize at the 2002 Grenoble film festival "Pastoralisme et Grands Espaces" Both films have been shown widely on the local and national level. They have also been circulated globally among International NGOs, donor agencies and scientists and screened at a number of international conferences.

This was an EU Funded project under the Copernicus programme, coordinated by Dr Roy Behnke from Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen.