This document summarizes different types of pastoralist communities in modern India. It describes Gujjar Bakarwals who herd goat and sheep between winter and summer grazing grounds in Jammu and Kashmir. Gaddis similarly move their herds between low and high elevations in Himachal Pradesh seasonally. Other mountain communities like Bhotiyas, Sherpas and Kinnauris also follow cyclical movements. The document also outlines Dhangars in Maharashtra who herd animals and grow crops seasonally, as well as Gollas, Banjaras, and Raikas who herd livestock in various regions and adapt their migrations based on climate and resource availability.

1. Pastoralists in the modern
world
BY SHAKTHI MAHENDRA
OF CLASS 9

2. What is pastoralism ?
• Pastoralism is an economic activity involving the care
of herds of domesticated livestock. In its traditional
forms it is either practiced as the main mode of
subsistence or combined with agriculture.
Pastoralism functions as a cultural system with a
characteristic ecology. The community of the
pastoralists can be considered in two dimensions, as
an ecological unit and as a sociocultural community.

3. DIFFERENT TYPES OF
PASTORALISTS
• Gujjar Bakarwals: Gujjar Bakarwals live in the
mountains of Jammu & Kashmir. They herd goat and
sheep. They migrated to this region in the nineteenth
century and established in this area. They move
between their winter and summer grazing grounds
every year. During winter the high mountains are
covered with snow. During this season, they move to
the low hills of the Shiwalik. By the end of April, they
begin their march towards higher mountains.

4. Gaddi
• Gaddi : The Gaddi shepherds live in
Himachal Pradesh. They also spend
winter in the low hills of the
Shiwalik. By April, they move
towards north to spend summers
in Lahul and Spiti.

5. BHOTIYAS
• Bhotiyas, Sherpas and Kinnauris
are some other pastoral
communities of the Himalayas
which also follow the cyclical
movement between and summer
and winter pastures.

6. Dhangars
• Dhangars: Dhangars were important pastoral
community of Maharashtra. Their population was
estimated to be 467,000 during the early
twentieth century. Most of them were shepherds,
but some were blanket weavers and some others
were buffalo herders. During monsoon, the
Dhangars used to stay in the central plateau of
Maharashtra. Apart from herding their animals,
they also used to grow bajra. By October, they used
to harvest their bajra and started their march to
west to reach Konkan.

7. Gollas
• Gollas: The Gollas lived in the
plateaus of Karnataka and
Andhra Pradesh. They were
cattle herders.

8. Banjaras
• Banjaras: The Banjaras lived in
villages of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra. They used to move
long distances in search of good
pastureland. They sold plough
cattle and other items in exchange
for grain and fodder.

9. Raikas
• Raikas: The Raikas lived in the deserts of
Rajasthan. During the monsoons, the Raikas of
Barmer, Jaisalemer, Jodhpur and Bikaner used to
stay in their home villages because pasture was
available. By October, they used to move in
search of other pasture and water. They returned
again in the next monsoon. The Maru (a group
of Raikas) herded camels and another group
reared sheep and goat.

10. IMAGES OF PASTORALISTS

12. I hope you all enjoyed my presentation