Abstract

The present work is an updated and detailed overview of Pascolo Vagante: an entirely nomadic ovine pastoral system typical of Italian alpine regions. This study provides in-depth analysis of the current state of this shepherding practice based on shepherds’ views and perceptions. The overall result is a comprehensive picture of Pascolo Vagante, the related issues and opportunities. Nomadic shepherds in Lombardia are an example of resilience due to their ability to maintain their traditional nomadic lifestyles and traditional livestock breeding in a highly industrialized region. Nomadic sheep pastoralism offers significant opportunities for ecosystem services, untapped resources, low-impact animal breeding, sustainable land management, and immaterial human heritage. Nowadays, shepherds face important challenges that seriously undermine their practices. This research aims to develop a “map” of problem-actors’ relations from the shepherds' perspective and generate updated insights into this system in accordance with the principles of the dynamic system mapping methodology. Data for this research were obtained through semi-structured interviews, informal conversations, and participant observation. The interviews will investigate five categories of issues to map the sheep breeding sector: grazing resources, resilience and mobility, natural parks, bureaucracy, and subsidies. The impact on marginal areas will be investigated through the impact analysis of the recovery of pastoral activities on an abandoned alpine pasture in the Alps of Lombardia. Investigating itinerant pastoralism offers the opportunity to develop a new approach to sustainable land management. This type of animal breeding faces rampant risks of disappearing, with severe consequences for biodiversity, cultural, and heritage losses. The preservation of nomadic pastoralism meets the national and European pursuit of sustainable development. This research aims to address a gap between UNESCO's declaration of transhumance as intangible cultural heritage and the material realities of underrepresented voices and issues in the political and academic landscape. This study concludes that itinerant pastoralism is still capable of playing an important role in sustainable rural development in marginal areas. The wide array of issues undermining Alpine nomadism’s future is interwoven with social, political, and economic marginality. Although shepherds are undertaking bottom-up initiatives to address their issues, the need to sensitize and inform public opinion and to reshape the human-territory relationship remains compelling.