The Conflict of Itinerant Pastoralism in the Piedmont Po Plain (Collina Po Biosphere Reserve, Italy)

In the Po Plain (Northwest Italy), itinerant pastoralism is frequently perceived as a source of social and territorial conflicts. The adoption of a role-playing game directed at university students allowed us to analyze the logistical criticalness of this pastoral system. It has been evidenced that mediation processes allow to reduce the territorial conflict by integrating itinerant flocks grazing with territory conservation measures. The legitimacy of this pastoral systems is guaranteed by the Park Authority so that a new interpretation of the itinerant shepherds' work is given, even if cultural stereotypes locally remain.