Accepting the challenge proposed by the Mountain Partnership, the Equid Power Network* (www.equidpower.org) organised a virtual event to promote the importance of Working Equids in Mountain Areas, as a contribution to the celebrations held for International Mountain Day 2020.
During this event, four guest speakers present different case studies from different parts of the world, highlighting the economic, ecologic and social importance and of working equids in mountain areas.
Case Studies:
Case study 1. Soil Conservation in Mountain Areas: Challenges and Threats. The (low) impact of animal traction in agroforestry management in mountains. Tomás de Figueiredo, IPB - Polytechnic Institute of Bragança / CIMO - Mountain Research Centre, Portugal.
Case study 2. Working Equids and the Production Chains in Rural Communities in the Central and South American Mountain Areas. Eduardo Santurtun, The Donkey Sanctuary México.
Case study 3. The Importance of Working Mules in the Tourism Sector in Nepal and How They Contribute to the Livelihood of Mountain Communities. Hari Joshi, Animal Nepal.
Case study 4. The Contribution of Working Equids to Sustaining the Livelihoods of Ethiopian Highlanders. Bojia Duguma, The Donkey Sanctuary Ethiopia.
*The Equid Power Network is a coalition created by:
- FECTU (European Draught Horse Federation)
- The Donkey Sanctuary
- World Horse Welfare
with the aim to highlight the benefits of working equids by promoting their responsible use and care, recognising them as a valid, affordable, clean and renewable power source, as well as their value to human livelihoods through their contribution to financial, ecological and social capital.
