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Control and allocation of grazing lands among the Bedouin tribes of the villages |
Reference |
Abu, Rafia Aref:" Control and allocation of grazing lands among the Bedouin tribes of the villages" |
Introduction to the Institution |
In Israel the Negev Area is semi-arid and it serves the Bedouins for dwelling, grazing and farming. The Bedouin population about 60,000,comprised of 30 tribes. The area varies topographically from flat to rolling hills to hilly. Most of the area is covered with loose soil,but the hills are composed of brown lithosols. The climatic conditions in the Negev varies from year to year, this instability has a great influence on vegetation, Bedouin life and livelihood. Dew is an important source of water for vegetation in Negev. |
Rules for Management
of the Institution |
(a) Boundary Rules |
Spatial: The Negev comprises 12,500sq.km, 60% of the area of the state of Israel. The Negev Bedouin dwell in an area of 1,000 sq km. Out of this about 400 sq km are dry farmed and the remainder 600 sq km are rangelands
Social: Nomadizing with the flocks outside the Bedouin area of 1000 sq km is dependant on obtaining a permit from the authorities. Nomadizing is allowed only between mid-February till beginning of October. |
(b) Governance
rules |
About ninety percent of the land in Israel,including all of the Negev, is controlled by the Lands Administration. The grazing areas outside the Bedouin area are controlled by a number of bodies: the Israel Lands Administration, the Jewish National Fund, co-operative villages(MOSHAVIM), collective villages (KIBBUTZIM) Ministry of Agriculture, the Israeli Army and the Nature Reserves Authority
The authorities are not monolithic, but they control most of the lands. They can give or withdraw access by different criteria and preferences. Since the Bedouin need those lands for a large part of the year, the authorities have the power to control the Bedouin to a large extent
MAINTENANCE: Watchman is appointed for guarding the fields and orchards and he has to monitor that the flocks do not enter the sown fields. Certain tasks and chores are done by users themselves, like watching the flocks at night by remaining awake turn by turn. |
(c) Resource Allocation |
Each one of the above mentioned authorities has a different policy concerning the allocation of grazing areas to the Bedouin, and each one requires a separate set of negotiations. In these negotiation the relationship between the Bedouins and the officials of each authority is of utmost importance. A good relationship helps the Bedouin to obtain good grazing areas and access to sources of drinking water as well as preferential govt. work contracts. If a Bedouin does not have suitable connections then he requests the services of brokers who help him to obtain the resources he needs. |
Conflict Resolution Mechanism |
Not reported in the text |
Problems Faced by Institution |
If a Bedouin has no connection with the authorities it is difficult for him to achieve many things by himself. |
Changes in the Institution over time |
Not reported in the text |
Other Features of Institution |
Patronage relationships are reciprocal where each participant contributes to continuity and stability |
Purpose |
Allocation of grazing land |
Country |
Israel |
Region |
Negev |
Date Of Publication |
RS-15/03/96 |
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