Nomad cattle herders demand proper grazing rights

Shimla : A delegation of Himachal Ghumantu Pashupalak Mahasabha led by its President, Raj Kumar called on Himachal Pradesh Governor Bandaru Dattatraya at Raj Bhavan today and apprised him about their various demands.

The Mahasabha raised the issue of giving grazing rights to the nomadic cattle herders under the Forest Rights Act and said that their permits should be recorded in the ‘Record of Right’.

They apprised that Himachali breed cow and Gaujri buffalo have been declared as the original breeds of the state by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) for which their habitat could also be protected for their conservation and promotion. They also urged for necessary action on the demands of cattle rearers raised during Palampur convention in July last year.

They informed the Governor the number of sheeps and goats in the state at present was about 20 lakh which was 40 per cent of the total livestock population. The people involved in this activity were mostly permanent residents of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur and Shimla districts, who depend on their cattle grazing in the upper reaches of Himachal during the summer months of June to September while migrate towards downhills from December to March.

They said that facilities should be provided for setting up small scale industries based on sheep wool and facility of mobile dispensary should also be provided for their cattle.  

The Governor said that their problems and demands would be considered sympathetically and assured them to discuss these issues with the State Government.