Himachal stops tree planting on pastures in Chamba to protect traditional pastoral routes

In good news for the pastoral communities in Himachal Pradesh, the state forest department has put a moratorium on tree planting along the migratory routes and halting places of pastoralists in Chamba forest division.

Chamba forest area is home to one-third of the total cattle population of the state and hundreds of Gaddi and Gujjar families practise transhumance or seasonal migration for grazing sheep, goats and buffaloes for their livelihood.

It has been observed that tree planting under various plantation schemes is taken up on the migratory routes and halting places of Gaddis and Gujjars, said Pushpendra Rana, chief conservator of forests, Chamba Forest Circle, in an order issued November 26, 2022.

Watch video: The lost shepherds of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh | The Gaddi tribe

This not only reduces the “chances of high survival of plantations due to regular grazing but also causes tremendous losses and hardships to migratory communities due to plantation enclosures and shortage of grass for their livestock,” the order read.

It also asked all the divisional forest officers to involve Gaddi and Gujjar communities in decision-making if there is a specific need to divert such lands to other plantation or infrastructure development purposes.

In those cases, alternative routes and halting places should be explored, said Rana. Chamba is said to have one of the highest numbers of the Gujjar shepherd community in Himachal Pradesh. 

Pastoralists from the two communities graze their cattle in designated forests and grasslands by migrating through the traditional routes and halting at traditional places called ‘Goth’. These are supported by their rights under various forest settlements. 

Pastoralism is one of the oldest and most sustainable food systems on the planet, where herders, along with livestock, move from one climatic region to another every year in search of food and suitable climatic conditions and to take advantage of pastures and grasslands.

Also read: Greener pastures: How Indian pastoralists are being aided to return to their traditional livelihood

Globally, lands sustained by pastoralism form the largest carbon sink, according to experts. Grazing of the pastures by herbivores stimulates the re-growth of plants.

Mobility is a key to the pastoral production system. But access to forest areas — the traditional grazing routes for pastoralists — has often been restricted by local forest authorities, not only in Himachal Pradesh but across the country.

The order from the Chamba forest division said not planting trees on these routes will reduce the “wasteful plantation expenditure” and will help prioritise tree planting in suitable sites free of grazing.

It asked all forest officers to ensure proper recording of the livestock, permit issued, migratory routes and grassland and pastures health to properly regulate and ensure access to Gaddi and Gujjar communities.

“Removal of lantana and other bushes on these routes can be taken up under various programs to improve the productivity of grasslands and pastures,” it added.