Centre for Pastoralism

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Centre for Pastoralism

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Centre for Pastoralism, an initiative by Gujarat-based Sahjeevan Trust, addresses many aspects of pastoralism in India through research, breed conservation, policy advocacy, outreach, and livelihood initiatives.

05/06/2026

Grasslands and rangelands cover nearly half the Earth's land surface, support around a billion people, store enormous amounts of carbon, and are home to unique plants and animals, yet they remain among the least understood ecosystems on the planet.

This World Environment Day, we're celebrating the value of grasslands and the pastoral communities that help keep them thriving.

Photo Credits: , , and archives

30/05/2026

Gawli buffaloes can find their way back on their own, returning to the same grazing sites year after year, even without a herder.

Once called the “Denmark of India,” Vidarbha’s grasslands supported a thriving dairy economy led by the Nand Gawli pastoral community. Their herds produced large quantities of milk and ghee, some even reaching international markets.

Rooted in stories of migration and Krishna’s journey, many Nand Gawlis are believed to have settled in these grass rich landscapes. Even today, they move seasonally across forests, grasslands, and farmlands, sustaining livelihoods through milk production and close ties with farmers.

Their culture, rituals, and knowledge reflect a deep connection between livestock, land, and identity.

Photo credits:

26/05/2026

Known as the “people of the pasture,” the Brokpas are yak herders within the Monpa community who move across high-altitude grasslands with their herds. Their lives, shaped by seasonal movement, livestock, and landscape, reflect a pastoral system rooted in resilience and deep ecological knowledge.

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16/05/2026

The Mathura Lamans, with roots in Uttar Pradesh, continue a pastoral way of life shaped by seasonal movement, cattle rearing, and long-standing trade practices. Their livelihoods today centre around cattle, dairying, and relationships with farmers, while their cultural practices reflect deep connections to livestock and tradition. Festivals such as Janmashtami, Diwali, and Pola hold particular significance during Diwali, white cows are decorated and worshipped as part of Lakshmi Pooja, while during Pola, bulls are similarly adorned and honoured for their role in agriculture.

Photo Credits:

06/05/2026

The Bharwads of Maharashtra continue a pastoral way of life rooted in movement, livestock, and community. From their migration from Gujarat to their present-day routes across Vidarbha, Gir cattle remain at the centre of their livelihoods and identity.

Through dairying, seasonal migration, and shared herd systems, they sustain both their families and local agricultural landscapes. Their traditions, knowledge, and adaptability reflect a deep connection with the land that continues to evolve with changing times.

Photo Credits:

20/04/2026

Stamped around the world. 🌍🐑

Every stamp here is a stop on Desi Oon's journey. The movie has travelled far beyond the Deccan pastures that inspired it, from festival screens to new audiences on other continents. These stamps show the awards the movie has won over the years. But the journey does not stop there. There are many more that the movie has been shortlisted for, along with many more official selections, screenings, and talks about pastoralism, craft, and the lives that are connected to Deccani wool.

Desi Oon began as a commission from the Centre for Pastoralism and took shape in the hands of the artists at . Animated entirely with sheep wool, the film threads together narratives of pastoral care, conservation, and craft. Set to music by Rajat Dholakia, voiced through 's lyrical narration, directed by and elevated by the sound design of , this stop motion piece transforms Deccani wool into a world that feels both tactile and unforgettable.

13/04/2026

Across the wetlands of Kerala and the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, duck herding is a landscape-driven system shaped by water, paddy cultivation, and seasonal cycles. In waterlogged regions like Kuttanad and the Kole wetlands, ducks thrive in shallow waters, moving through fields, canals, and backwaters.

After paddy harvests, flocks enter flooded fields to feed on leftover grain, snails, and insects, cleaning and fertilising the land in the process. This creates a closely linked rice-duck system, where herding is integrated into the agricultural calendar.

In Andhra Pradesh, communities such as the Yerukala and Vaddi follow migratory routes across districts, guiding flocks through fields and wetlands and setting up temporary camps along water bodies. Flocks can range from a few thousand to over 10,000 birds, moving together through routines shaped by experience and observation.

Photo Credits: Ishaan Raghunandan and Ramu Aravindan

07/04/2026

The Lambadas of Telangana carry a long history of movement, memory, and pastoral knowledge, tracing their origins to the north-western regions of the subcontinent and gradually making the Deccan their home. Their language, dress, and cultural practices continue to reflect these Rajasthani roots, even as they have adapted to new landscapes and livelihoods over time.

In 2020, a significant milestone marked this journey - the official recognition of the Poda Thuruppu cattle as Telangana’s first registered breed. Bred and nurtured by the Lambada community, this recognition not only established a distinct regional identity for the state but also acknowledged the community’s deep knowledge and contribution to livestock breeding.

Photo Credits: Ramu Aravindan

23/03/2026

The Konar community of Tamil Nadu has a long pastoral history rooted in the Mullai landscape described in Sangam literature. Known for their cattle herding traditions, they rear indigenous breeds like Kangayam, Pulikulam, and Malaimadu cattle along with several local sheep breeds. Livestock support their livelihoods through penning services, manure sales, and calf trade, linking pastoralism closely with local agriculture.

17/03/2026

We’re hiring!

The Centre for Pastoralism is looking for a Geospatial Data Associate to support the Atlas on Indian Pastoralism project. This role focuses on managing and analysing geospatial and survey datasets, while working closely with field teams to ensure data quality and consistency.

📍 Based in Delhi (with occasional field visits)

If you have an interest in spatial data, field-based research, and pastoral landscapes, we’d love to hear from you.

🔗 Apply through the link in bio

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https://centreforpastoralism.org/

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