Why do many Kyrgyz residents of the eastern Pamirs migrate during the year?

Many Kyrgyz residents of the eastern Pamirs migrate annually as part of their pastoral tasks. This practice is a form of transhumance, which involves the seasonal movement of livestock—specifically yaks, sheep, and goats—between different pastures.12

Because the eastern Pamirs are located at very high elevations, these areas are often too cold to support grazing throughout the entire year. Consequently, the Kyrgyz move their herds to take advantage of available mountain pastures during warmer seasons and relocate to lower altitudes or different areas for the remainder of the year. This lifestyle is essential to their economy, which relies on high-elevation pastoralism alongside the cultivation of crops such as barley, pulses, and potatoes.12