Political Ecology of Transhumance Pastoralism in the Central Himalaya-Conservation, Livelihoods and Institutional Transformation: Thematic Report

Abstract

The Central Himalaya of Uttarakhand is home to two important pastoral communities, the transhumant Bhotiya people and the forest-dwelling nomadic Van Gujjars. For centuries, these communities have depended on seasonal migration with their livestock, moving between lower valleys in winter and high-altitude alpine pastures in summer. This traditional system, known as transhumance, helped them survive in the harsh mountain environment while also using natural resources in a balanced and sustainable way. However, significant changes emerged in their traditional life in the early 1980s after the implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and the creation of protected areas such as Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park in 1982. These conservation measures restricted pastoral communities from entering many of their traditional summer grazing areas in Chamoli district. As a result, their traditional way of life began to change rapidly. Earlier, Himalayan pastoralism was considered an effective system for managing mountain resources because grazing patterns followed seasonal cycles and allowed pastures to regenerate naturally. But over time, strict conservation policies reduced grazing spaces and forced many pastoral families to adopt limited or “nuclear” forms of transhumance, where only a few family members continue migrating with livestock. Government agencies, especially the Forest Department, often view pastoralism as harmful to the environment. Yet, there is very little strong scientific evidence from the Himalayan region to prove that traditional grazing alone causes ecological damage. In fact, many local communities believe that controlled grazing has long helped maintain biodiversity and healthy grasslands. This issue is not only environmental but also social, cultural, and political. Alpine pastures are more than grazing lands, they are shared community resources deeply connected to the culture, traditions, spirituality, and livelihoods of mountain people. Restricting access to these lands has weakened traditional rights and increased uncertainty for pastoral communities. Most studies on Himalayan pastures have focused mainly on livestock and natural resources, while giving less attention to local institutions, traditional knowledge, and the everyday struggles of pastoral communities. There is also limited understanding of how conservation policies affect the livelihoods and rights of local people living around protected areas. This paper argues that conservation efforts in the Himalayas cannot succeed if local communities are excluded from decision-making. Sustainable management of fragile mountain ecosystems requires the active participation of pastoralists and local residents. A balanced approach is needed, one that protects biodiversity while also respecting traditional rights, cultural values, and the economic well-being of Himalayan pastoral communities.