Wildlife board panel orders study on pastoralists’ dependence on forests inside national parks and sanctuaries

This development highlights the complex intersection of wildlife conservation and sustainable resource management. The SC-NBWL’s directive underscores the need to balance the ecological integrity of Protected Areas (PAs), such as National Parks and Sanctuaries established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, with the customary grazing practices of pastoralists. Historically, conservation policies often viewed human presence, including grazing, as detrimental to wildlife. However, the SC-NBWL minute acknowledging the 'importance of grazing in habitat management' signals a shift towards inclusive conservation models. Over-grazing due to livestock concentration can lead to the 'severe degradation' of pastures and desertification, a key concern under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The study aims to find a balance, ensuring that grazing rights are institutionalized without compromising wildlife habitats. For UPSC Mains, analyze the evolution from exclusionary to participatory conservation approaches and the ecological role of regulated grazing in maintaining certain ecosystems.

The issue involves navigating complex administrative jurisdictions and legal frameworks. Pastoral communities often undertake seasonal migrations (transhumance) across state borders, passing through forests managed by different authorities. This creates practical constraints as forest departments prioritize conservation over grazing rights. The directive to study 'legal issues' points to potential conflicts between conservation laws like the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and rights-based legislation such as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. The FRA, 2006 recognizes the traditional rights of forest-dwelling communities, including nomadic pastoralists, to access grazing grounds. Funding the study through the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) highlights utilizing funds meant for afforestation to understand and mitigate conflicts arising from forest management. The governance challenge lies in 'institutionalising access arrangements'—creating mechanisms that streamline permissions for seasonal movement across multiple jurisdictions while ensuring ecological safeguards.

Pastoralism is a critical livelihood strategy for approximately 13 million people across 46 groups in India, including communities like the Gujjars, Bakkarwals, Maldharis, and Changpas. These nomadic and semi-nomadic groups depend entirely on rangelands (grasslands, scrublands, meadows) for livestock rearing, contributing significantly to the rural economy through dairy, meat, and wool production. The restriction of access to PAs threatens their traditional livelihoods, exacerbating social vulnerabilities. The study addresses the socio-economic impact of conservation policies on these marginalized groups. Recognizing and formalizing their grazing rights is not just an environmental issue but a matter of social justice and protecting their cultural heritage. UPSC questions could focus on the socio-economic challenges faced by nomadic tribes in India, the impact of environmental policies on traditional livelihoods, and the role of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in securing the rights of pastoral communities.