Initiative
Himalayan Pastoral Trust: Guardians of Kashmir’s Rangelands and Pastoral Heritage
The Alpine Pond Project: Securing Water for Pastoralists
Water scarcity in high-altitude pastures is an escalating crisis. During their seasonal migrations, pastoralists carry only the bare essentials, lacking the means to store even 100 Liters of water. They are entirely dependent on natural springs, which are becoming increasingly unreliable. When a spring dries up, families often struggle to find water even for their meal. This can force them to undertake long, arduous journeys in search of alternative sources, leading to distress migration and threatening their traditional way of life.
Grassland to Classroom: Educating the Next Generation
While securing water is crucial for pastoral survival, preserving their knowledge systems is just as important. Traditionally, pastoralists have relied on deep-rooted ecological wisdom, passed down orally from one generation to the next. However, the modern education system often fails to incorporate this indigenous knowledge, leaving pastoralist children disconnected from their heritage.
Grassland Restoration Initiative
Pastoralism in the Himalayas is more than a livelihood—it is a cultural heritage and a knowledge system passed down through centuries. For generations, nomadic herders have sustained themselves, but pastoral way of life stands at risk. Climate change, shrinking rangelands, and declining fodder availability are forcing many families to abandon pastoralism. Two decades ago, a household in Kashmir maintained an average of 80 animals; today, the number has fallen to 30–40, with nearly 26% of families reduced to fewer than 20 animals. Alpine meadows (margs), which once provided up to 140 days of summer grazing, are degraded and unable to sustain large herds. In winter, snowfall restricts access to pastures, leaving households dependent on expensive fodder purchases and compelling them to cut down herd sizes further. As pastoralism becomes less profitable, many are being forced to leave the profession altogether, eroding both livelihoods and centuries-old cultural knowledge.
