The herdsmen of Inner Mongolia have freely roamed the plains for many centuries with their livestock grazing on fertile grasslands stretching across the horizon.
几百年来,内蒙古的游牧民族一直在广阔的草原上徜徉,牲畜在延伸到天边的草原上吃着鲜美的嫩草。
But now their age-old customs are being stamped out because of relocation the Chinese government claims will help curb environmental damage.
但是,由于政府希望控制环境恶化,进行了重迁计划,这个古老的传统马上就要消失了。
In 1949, the ratio of Mongols to Han Chinese in this Northern China province was reported to be 5 to 1;
1949年,在中国的北方省份,蒙古人和汉人的比例是5比1;
now there is only one Mongol for every six Han Chinese.
而现在,蒙古人和汉人的比例仅仅是1比6。
Along with mass migration came assimilation, as Mongolians were required to give up their nomadic lifestyles and to move to permanent settlements.
随着大规模的迁移,蒙古人也被同化,蒙古人不得不放弃游牧的生活习惯,永久定居下来。
"It was better before when we were free to roam the grasslands.
“以前我们可以在草原上自由游荡的时候比较好。
Now if we ventured into other people's grasslands, our sheep would be confiscated. Things are controlled now."
现在,如果我们闯入了别人的草原,我们的羊会被没收。现在一切都受到控制。”
Han Chinese are cultivating crops and raising animals here, competing with the Mongolian herdsmen.
汉人也在这里种植作物,养殖牲畜,与蒙古牧民竞争。
Modern technology has also impacted the grasslands in a profound way.
现代科技也对草原有着深远的影响。
While some do ride motorcycles rather than horses and others have more modern conveniences,
有人骑摩托车,而不是骑马,还有一些人则使用更现代化的交通工具。
other reports claim that it's the Han Chinese agricultural practices that are causing the most damage.
有报告说,汉人的耕作习惯造成的危害更大。
The Genghis Khan Mausoleum in Erdos City serves as a cultural reminder of the Mongolians' proud heritage
鄂尔多斯市伊金霍洛旗新街镇甘德尔敖包代表了
before the Chinese government exercised its control. The Mongolians have a long and unique history and multifaceted culture.
中国政府实施控制以前的内蒙古的传统。蒙古有着悠久,独特,多样化的历史。
"During Genghis Khan's era, he used people of different religious faiths. He didn't discriminate different races or religious beliefs.
“在成吉思汗时代,他重用有着不同宗教信仰的人。他不对任何种族或者宗教信仰产生歧视。
I think they have the ability to assimilate and adapt well to different environments. Mongolian culture is very open and embracing."
我认为他们有同化和适应不同环境的能力。蒙古文化是非常开放和包容的。”
Climate change and overgrazing have rendered huge swathes of land barren and caused frequent sandstorms in Inner Mongolia and its neighboring provinces.
气候变化和过度放牧使大片的土地变成荒漠,导致内蒙古和邻近省份频繁出现沙尘暴。