Pastoral census: After 105 years, India will count its transhumant livestock, communities
For the first time since 1919, when the first livestock census happened, India will be counting its pastoral livestock, enumerating pastoral communities and their contribution to the livestock sector, as part of the 21st Livestock Census which was launched on October 25.
Why is the pastoral census important? India has a significant population of pastoralists. Every year, thousands of pastoralists, along with their animals, make periodic journeys on foot, from one climatic region to another for availability of food, and to take advantage of suitable pastures and grasslands.
About 20 million pastoralists graze the country’s forests and grasslands, according to organisations working with the pastoral communities. But there are no official numbers as till now there was not much recognition of the age-old livelihood practice of transhumance pastoralism in livestock management.
