Rajasthan's pastoral nomadism is vital to its identity but faces threat from climate change, land privatisation

Historically, nomadic pastoralism has been ecologically sustainable, as the movement of the herders prevents overgrazing in any one location

Rajasthan's pastoral nomadism is vital to its culture but faces threat from climate change, land privatisation

The pastoralists rely heavily on their animals, not just for milk, meat and wool but also for transport and even for cultural rituals. Photographs by Vikas Choudhary/CSE/

Published on:

19 Feb 2025, 12:38 pm

Pastoralism is deeply tied to the culture and traditions of Rajasthan. The lifestyle influences art, music, clothing and even the social structure of these communities.

Many of the pastoral groups also have a strong sense of identity linked to their herding practices.

Nomadic groups typically follow a route where they move from one region to another, depending on the availability of water and grazing land.

Historically, nomadic pastoralism has been ecologically sustainable, as the movement of the herders prevents overgrazing in any one location.

However, with the increasing pressures of modern development and environmental degradation, the balance of this system is becoming strained.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the sustainability of nomadic pastoralism, with efforts to promote it as a model for sustainable land management, especially in arid regions where resource scarcity is a major concern.

Nomadic pastoralists face numerous challenges, including climate change, shrinking grazing lands, government policies that restrict movement, and pressures from urbanisation.

These challenges have made it difficult for many pastoral communities to sustain their traditional ways of life. For instance, the introduction of fencing, land privatisation, and agricultural expansion often disrupt their migration routes.

Rajasthan

Pastoral nomadism