A Look at the Problems of Transhumance in Northeastern Anatolia with a Cause-Effect Relationship: Ardahan Example

Abstract

Transhumance activity, which has been carried on in the mountains of T & uuml;rkiye for hundreds of years, has entered into a great change nowadays. NE Anatolia, the center of livestock grazing, is the region where these changes are experienced the most. This study focused on the problem of decrease in transhumance activity in Ardahan. The aim is to give the current status of transhumance and to determine the causes and consequences of the decline problem. Within the scope of the qualitative research method, interviews were conducted through semi-structured questions with people selected with stratified sampling among the plateau climbers in three districts of Ardahan. The findings were evaluated by content analysis while tables and figures were prepared. The most important finding is that grazing on pastures is experiencing a transition from agricultural management to family livestock farming. This situation is closely related to the shrinkage of pasture areas in the region, the decline of animal husbandry and ultimately rural migration. It is expected that the study will contribute to the literature on regional transhumance, local society and rural settlement geography.