Pastoral Activities in Himachal Pradesh: A Study of Emerging Policy Interventions in 2026

Pastoral Activities in Himachal Pradesh: A Study of Emerging Policy Interventions in 2026 Arti Kaundal* Pastoralism is an important livelihood system in the Himalayan region, where livestock rearing is closely linked with seasonal migration, alpine and forest pastures, wool production, indigenous breeds, and the cultural traditions of pastoral communities. In Himachal Pradesh, communities such as the Gaddi, Gujjar, Kinnaura and other pastoral groups traditionally practice transhumance, moving livestock between high-altitude summer pastures and lower-altitude winter grazing areas. Communities like the Gaddi, Gujjar, Kinnaura, and other pastoral groups in Himachal Pradesh have long engaged in transhumance, which involves relocating livestock from high-altitude summer pastures to lower-altitude winter grazing sites. Thus forests, shared grazing areas, cattle markets, wool production, and mountain ecosystems are thus intimately linked to the state's pastoral economy. The Pastoralists Empowerment in Himalayan Ecosystems for Livelihood (PEHEL) is a plan, proposed by Govt of Himachal Pradesh with an outlay of ₹300 crore targeting more than 40,000 pastoral families. Policy components like digital identification of shepherds, livestock records, life insurance, improvement of sheep and goat breeds, review of grazing restrictions, geo-tagging of migration routes and water sources, and protection of pastoral mobility are included in PEHEL. The Budget also announced scientific wool processing and a support price of ₹100 per kg for wool under a Market Stabilization Scheme. This paper will focus on major pastoral communities, the nature of pastoral activities, the challenges faced by pastoral communities and PEHEL scheme proposed by Government of Himachal Pradesh. * Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Punjab University Chandigarh, India