08.12.2025 Offline Interview at Wetland Nomadic Family, 300 meters north of the new area of Liangxi Village, Heishantou Town, Hulun Buir City

Interviewee: “Narangerel” (pseudonym), 42, ethnic Mongolian herder from central Inner Mongolia. She raises livestock year-round and occasionally works with her elder brother in the local summer tourism business.

采访中文原稿

问：内蒙古当地对于禁牧或限牡政策有没有什么经历或者看法？

答：有可能一部分地区涉及到禁牧，因为破坏草原。政府政策对于牧民有好处有坏处，牧民能接受。

问：如何看待政府实施的草场恢复项目？

答：现在部分地区草原搞旅游行业，人群来回走动，破坏的严重性也比较大。政府为了让草地多长点草，实施了禁牧，对环境也有好处。

问：这些项目是否会影响牧民的日常放牧习惯和生活？

答：有好处也有坏处。有些地方搞旅游产业的，也会推动经济发展，提高牧民收入。但是坏的方面，就是会破坏草原

问：是否收到过政府的补贴或培训呢？

答：有补贴，每年都有。

问：补贴是否能够cover掉牧民的损失呢？

答：只能说是部分补偿，不可能做到全面补偿，但是能够维持生活。肯定关于草原草地问题才有补贴嘛，没有草原没有补贴。

问：传统游牧方式在当前政策下是否能够维持？

答：旅游一般是在夏季。冬天没有旅游，所以能够维持传统游牧方式。

问：牧民看到的草场环境有什么变化？

答：以前的草更高、更绿。除了人多的破坏，还有环境等因素。

问：一些西方媒体会报道批评中国政府在内蒙古的草场政策，认为这些政策强制了放牧和强迫了牧民的迁徙，导致了文化和经济的破坏。你如何看待？

答：有些地方没感受到这种情况。这些东西没有完全的对策，只是政策和当地实施情况有所差别。没有百分百接受或者百分百不接受，反正各有各的想法。并且国家政策也有自己的考量。

The transcript is translated by Artificial Intelligence

Q: Have there been any local experiences or opinions regarding grazing bans or grazing restrictions?

A: Some areas are affected by grazing bans because of grassland degradation. The government policies bring both benefits and drawbacks, but generally speaking, most herders can accept them.

Q: How do you view the government’s grassland restoration projects?

A: In some places, the grasslands have been turned into tourist attractions. With many people coming and going, the damage can be quite serious. The government introduced grazing bans to allow the grass to grow back, and this is beneficial for the environment.

Q: Do these projects affect herders’ daily grazing practices and their livelihoods?

A: There are pros and cons. In places where tourism is developing, it can boost the local economy and increase herders’ income. But on the negative side, tourism can also damage the grasslands.

Q: Have you received any government subsidies or training?

A: Yes, we receive subsidies every year.

Q: Do these subsidies cover the herders’ losses?

A: They are only partial compensation. It’s impossible for them to fully cover everything, but they help us maintain a basic living. Of course, the subsidies exist because of issues related to grasslands—without grasslands, there would be no subsidies.

Q: Under current policies, is it still possible to maintain traditional nomadic practices?

A: Tourism mainly happens in the summer. In winter there is no tourism, so traditional herding can still continue.

Q: What environmental changes have you observed in the grasslands?

A: The grass used to be taller and greener. Besides damage caused by human activity, environmental factors also play a role.

Q: Some Western media criticize China’s grassland policies in Inner Mongolia, saying they force herders to stop grazing or relocate, harming local culture and livelihoods. How do herders view this?

A: In some areas, we haven’t experienced that kind of situation. There is no single correct answer—policies and their implementation vary from place to place. People don’t fully accept or fully reject them; everyone has their own views. The government also has its own considerations behind the policies.