With the purpose of creating visibility for pastoralism – a livestock production system that is gaining increased international recognition but not recognized officially by Indian policy makers – LPP, with the support of the Rainfed Livestock Network and the LIFE Network organised a three day workshop from 13-15 May in Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) that brought together 14 experts from all over the country.

Concluding that about 80% of India’s livestck is kept in extensive systems, the experts brought out the Kullu Call for the Recognition of the Importance of Common Pool Resources (CPRs) and Pastoralism for India’s Livestock Sector.

During the International Grasslands Conference held in Delhi from 20-24th November, LPP organised a special session on pastoralism in India, in collaboration with the Rainfed Livestock Network.

It included two keynote presentations by Ilse Köhler-Rollefson on Ecologically and Socially Sustainable Livestock Development in Marginal Areas  and by Saverio Krätli on Valuing Variability: New perspectives on climate resilient drylands development.

Other presentations covered the significance of sheep pastoralism in providing organic manure (Dr. Bala Athani), the role of goat, pig and buffalo pastoralism in Odisha in providing food security to the poor  (Dr. Balaram Sahu), on pastoralism in the Banni Grasslands of Kutch (Ramesh Bhatti) and the importance of the Amrit Kavad grazing reserves in Karnataka for livestock and biodiversity conservation (Gopikrishna).

The session inspired constructive discussion among the audience as it challenged the prevailing perception of pastoralism being a backward and of low output.

We hope to be able to upload all of the presentations shortly.

Save the date: The Marwar Camel Culture Festival will be celebrated from 6-8 November at the Butibagh Campus of LPP’s partner organization Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan in Sadri, Rajasthan, India.

It will bring together the struggling camel herders, artisans, Rajasthan lovers, local food producers and many others to revive the camel economy. There will be exciting events such as a camel cheese tasting, a Camel Literature Fest with readings by famous explorers, a camel milking competition, a camel sufi music concert and of course camel chai!

More information soon, or write to ilse@pastoralpeoples.org!