Nomads in Xinjiang at risk of losing ancient lifestyles

VIDEO CNN's Rebecca MacKinnon goes out on the plains with the nomads Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

XINJIANG, China (CNN) -- The ancient lifestyles of Xinjiang province's nomads and it's fragile ecosystems are under threat from China's natonal policy-makers. Beijing wants nomadic groups to abandon their roaming lifestyle and join permanent settlements.

In Xinjiang, Kazakh nomads migrate seasonally in search of pastures to graze their livestock. Research groups estimate there are more than 1 million Kazakhs in China, most in Xinjiang province.

While some former nomads who have settled say they enjoy the benefits of education and secure employment, others are skeptical that authorities are forcing Kazakhs to assimilate with Chinese so they will lose their own cultural heritage.

Furthermore, environmentalists are concerned that by settling nomads, the province's grasslands could be destroyed. By keeping livestock in the one place, the World Resources Institute says land around settlements could be overgrazed, destroying topsoil.

Watch CNN Beijing Bureau Chief Rebecca MacKinnon's report as part of a weeklong series examining Xinjiang province.

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