- Millions of pastoralists in India need better recognition of their rights and access to markets, according to a report by the UN Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD).
| RangelandsRangelands are comprised of grasses, herbaceous plants, and shrubs that are grazed by livestock and/or wildlife also consists of wetlands, deserts, mountain pastures, plateaus and tundra. Almost half of the world’s rangelands are degraded due to climate change, population growth, land-use change and growing farmlands.Rangelands cover 80 million sq. km, which is 54% of the earth’s land surface. These rangelands are an important ecosystem to fight against climate change as they act as carbon sinks and prevent soil erosion, land degradation and desertification. |
- The population of pastoralist communities, comprising groups such as Maldharis, Van Gujjars and Rabaris, among others, is estimated to be 20 million or more.
- The report highlighted that pastoralists are a marginalised community with little influence on policy decisions, resulting in uncertainty over access to common land and land rights.
| Grassland Ecosystem in India: Although grasslands are considered threatened ecosystems in India, they have been virtually overlooked in environmental conservation.India under forest based intervention converting natural grasslands into plantation forests or other uses.Less than 5 per cent of India’s grasslands fall within protected areas, and the total grassland area declined from 18 to 12 million hectares between 2005 and 2015. |
The livestock sector of the economy contributes 4 per cent of the national gross domestic product and 26 per cent of the agricultural gross domestic product.
- The country also accounts for 20 per cent of the world’s livestock population.
- Some laws such as the Forest Rights Act 2006, though, have helped pastoralists obtain grazing rights across states in the country.
- The report underlined was the Van Gujjars won grazing rights and received land titles in the Rajaji National Park, following a high court judgment.
- It cited the example of welfare schemes and assistance provided to pastoralists under the National Livestock Mission, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund and the Rashtriya Gokul Mission on sustainable dairy production.
Dig Deeper: Learn about various pastoral communities in India and their locations. Also read about their cultural practices and other aspects.
