For the Recognition of the Importance of Common Pool Resources (CPRs) and Pastoralism for India’s Livestock Sector
With the purpose of creating visibility for pastoralism – a livestock production system that is gaining increased international recognition1 but not recognized officially by Indian policy makers – fourteen experts from all over India met in Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) from 13-15 May, 2016 to define the term in the Indian context and establish a methodology for estimating numbers and assessing trends2.
The experts noted that the principles of pastoralism are different than those underlying conventional agriculture in which native vegetation is replaced with cultivated crops or sown pasture. By contrast, pastoralism makes use of available vegetation or crop by
products, requires no fuel or fertilizer (in fact contributes organic fertilizer), makes it possible to produce food in marginal areas (deserts, high mountains) and unlikely ecological niches (for instance marine areas), besides benefitting local flora and fauna. Furthermore, these systems are able to adapt to climate change.
Camel ( Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh) 3,50,000 10 3 298 Total 387987778 335156
****based on calculations by Athani, B., et al( 2015) in the paper ‘The significance of nomadic pastoralism for sustaining soil fertility in Northern Karnataka’, presented at 23rd International Grasslands Conference, New Delhi and Kolay, A.K. 2007. Manures and Fertilizers. Atlantic Publishers, New Delhi.