South Asia

South Asia features a spectacular landscape of diverse pastoralist communities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The Himalayas and Karakoram provide summer pastures for communities like the Gujjars and Raute from India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Arid regions such as the Thar Desert and Balochistan Plateau support nomadic groups such as the Baluch and Rabaris. Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush is home to Kuchi nomads, while Bhutan’s high pastures are utilized by the Brokpa and Layap herders. Fertile plains and deltas in Bangladesh and India offer seasonal grazing opportunities, while in Sri Lanka, the Veddas and some Tamil and Sinhalese communities practice semi-nomadic pastoralism in dry zones. Many pastoralists in the region still practice their traditional way of life, including moving with their herds. They are expert breeders, and they raise highly adapted breeds of camels, cattle, domestic buffaloes, yaks, sheep, and goats, as well as horses and donkeys.

Pastoralists in South Asia are navigating rapidly shifting socio-economic, political, and environmental conditions. The loss of common property resources decreased access to grazing lands, and land acquisition for various purposes have forced many to abandon traditional livestock keeping. The remaining rangelands are under constant threat from non-pastoralist land users and stricter regulations, while unclear institutional jurisdiction and restricted mobility across borders further complicate their situation. Economically, pastoralists struggle with market pressures, volatile livestock prices, and limited access to markets and infrastructure. Inadequate basic services in pastoral regions exacerbate poverty and limit opportunities for future generations. Additionally, cultural erosion is a growing concern as younger generations migrate to urban areas, leading to the loss of traditional knowledge and practices. These multifaceted challenges, coupled with the exclusion of pastoralists from decision-making processes and a lack of disaggregated data, have intensified the pressures on pastoral communities and their way of life in South Asia.

The anticipated needs and priorities for pastoralists in this region include securing land rights through clearer policies that protect common lands and ensure tenure for pastoralist communities, which is crucial to prevent further erosion of pastoralism. Support for climate adaptation is essential, recognizing both the challenges posed by climate change and the inherent adaptive strengths in traditional pastoralist lifestyles. This includes access to climate-resilient livestock breeds, improved water management, and early warning systems. Facilitating better market access for pastoral products and strengthening value chains are vital for improving livelihoods. Additionally, there is a critical need to engage younger generations, including young girls, in leadership roles and equip them with skills to navigate changing landscapes while preserving their cultural heritage.

Despite all this, new movements focusing on cultural preservation, environmental resilience, and climate adaptation have emerged, emphasising the rights of pastoralist communities, especially women and youth. Digital tools and participatory platforms have enabled pastoralists to advocate more effectively for their rights, but challenges persist as access to these technologies remains unequal across the region.

The Pastoralist Knowledge Hub has supported:

The development of the South Asia Pastoralist Alliance through regional meetings and community dialogues. The first regional meeting was held in Gujarat, India, in March 2015.
The development of Biocultural Community Protocols for pastoralists in Gujarat in partnership with the Maldhari Rural Action Group (MARAG).
The participation of network members in policy processes such as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Global Agenda on Sustainable Livestock Transformation, etc.

At present, the South Asian Pastoral Alliance (SAPA) has active representatives from six countries – India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, along with explorations in Bhutan. The alliance is working on securing diverse tenure systems, ensuring pastoralists’ rights over rangeland, and establishing pastoralists’ contribution towards sustaining the environment by strengthening and amplifying the collective voices of pastoralists.

Since the declaration of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) in 2022 by the UN General Assembly, supported by South Asian countries, SAPA has leveraged this momentum to initiate several key initiatives. As a regional platform, SAPA, in collaboration with its member organizations and the IYRP Regional Group, has organized awareness campaigns, workshops, and learning exchange programs led by pastoralist leaders to build capacity and share knowledge.

One of SAPA’s major successes was the Pastoralist Youth Gathering held in June 2024, which brought together over 60 young pastoralists from across South Asia. During this convening, participants discussed their needs and aspirations for sustaining pastoralism and worked collectively to draft a Charter of Demands. This document is intended to guide advocacy efforts at local, national, and global levels in the lead-up to 2026, ensuring that the voices of young pastoralists are heard.