国家地理:蒙古族生活日渐消失

The herdsmen of Inner Mongolia have freely roamed the plains for many centuries with their livestock grazing on fertile grasslands stretching across the horizon. But now their age-old customs are being stamped out because of relocation the Chinese government claims will help curb environmental damage.
In 1949, the ratio of Mongols to Han Chinese in this Northern China province was reported to be 5 to 1; now there is only one Mongol for every six Han Chinese. Along with mass migration came assimilation, as Mongolians were required to give up their nomadic lifestyles and to move to permanent settlements.
“It was better before when we were free to roam the grasslands. Now if we ventured into other people's grasslands, our sheep would be confiscated. Things are controlled now.”
Han Chinese are cultivating crops and raising animals here, competing with the Mongolian herdsmen. Modern technology has also impacted the grasslands in a profound way. While some do ride motorcycles rather than horses and others have more modern conveniences, other reports claim that it's the Han Chinese agricultural practices that are causing the most damage.
The Genghis Khan Mausoleum in Erdos City serves as a cultural reminder of the Mongolians' proud heritage before the Chinese government exercised its control. The Mongolians have a long and unique history and multifaceted culture.
“During Genghis Khan's era, he used people of different religious faiths. He didn't discriminate different races or religious beliefs. I think they have the ability to assimilate and adapt well to different environments. Mongolian culture is very open and embracing.”
Climate change and overgrazing have rendered huge swathes of land barren and caused frequent sandstorms in Inner Mongolia and its neighboring provinces.
“I think it will take barely seven...”
【Glossary】
1. stamp out: end or extinguish by forceful means
2. nomadic:(a.) migratory
3. confiscated:(a.) Seized by a government; appropriated
4. Mausoleum of Genghis Khan: located along a river in Kandehuo Enclosure, Xinjie Town, Ejen Khoruu Banner, Ordos Prefecture-Level City (鄂尔多斯市伊金霍洛旗新街鎮甘德爾敖包), Inner Mongolia. The Mausoleum is not the real burial place of the Khan, which has never been discovered; it is a cenotaph, where the coffin contains no body, but only headdresses and accessories. It was built between 1954 to 1956 by the government of the PRC in the traditional Mongol style.
5. multifaceted: (a.) Having many facets or aspects
6. swathe: (n.) a long narrow strip of land
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。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。
1949年，在中国的北方省份，蒙古人和汉人的比例是5比1;而现在，蒙古人和汉人的比例仅仅是1比6.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。
“以前我们可以在草原上自由游荡的时候比较好。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。”
汉人也在这里种植作物，养殖牲畜，与蒙古牧民竞争。现代科技也对草原有着深远的影响。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。有报告说，汉人的耕作习惯造成的危害更大。
鄂尔多斯市伊金霍洛旗新街镇甘德尔敖包代表了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。
“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。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。”
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。