Kartik
In the shadow of the world’s accelerating climate crisis, tribal communities -often the most environmentally conscious and historically sustainable societies- are finding their ways of life increasingly under threat. This blog offers a glimpse into my ongoing research on how climate change is affecting tribal herding practices, particularly in regions where pastoralism remains central to cultural identity and livelihood.
Reason for Focus on Tribal Communities and Herding
For centuries, many tribal communities around the world have depended on livestock herding, a practice deeply embedded in their social structures, economies, and spiritual lives. Unlike large-scale commercial livestock operations, tribal herding is generally small-scale, ecologically sensitive, and adapted to the rhythms of local ecosystems. However, climate change is disrupting this delicate balance.
My research focuses on understanding the environmental challenges faced by these communities, with a specific interest in how rising temperatures, inconsistent rainfall, limited grazing access, and water scarcity are threatening their herding traditions. It also explores how tribal wisdom and practical solutions can help us learn to live sustainably in a changing climate.
A Research Journey Rooted in the Field
The foundation of this research lies in immersive fieldwork. I have engaged with shepherds from the Gaddi tribal community, participated in seasonal migrations, and conducted interviews with elders, women, and youth to understand the shifting landscape through their eyes.
The goal has been not only to document ecological changes but to center the voices of those directly affected. From the foothills of Himachal Pradesh to the agrarian landscapes of Punjab, community testimonies echo a common concern: the land no longer behaves as it once did.
Environmental Challenges: A Cascade of Change
The environmental changes impacting tribal herders are neither isolated nor uniform, but they
often share similar patterns:
- Erratic Weather and Unpredictable Season – Communities report shorter and more intense monsoon periods, followed by prolonged dry spells. Traditional knowledge systems that once guided migration patterns and pasture use are becoming less reliable. This leads to overgrazing in some areas and underutilization in others, intensifying environmental degradation.
- Diminishing Water Resources- Pastoralism depends heavily on access to water, not only for livestock but for sustaining pastures. With rivers drying earlier and wells reaching lower levels, many herders are forced to travel farther, putting pressure on already stressed ecosystems and increasing inter-community conflict over resources.
- Encroachment and Land-Use Change- Expanding agriculture, mining, deforestation, and infrastructure development are shrinking the traditional grazing commons. In many areas, the expansion of commercial projects and the establishment of restricted conservation areas have curtailed herders’ mobility, disrupting access to long-established migration routes.
- Livestock Health and Biodiversity Loss- Rising temperatures and changing vegetation patterns are affecting animal health. Certain traditional breeds are struggling to survive in changing climatic conditions, and the spread of new pests and diseases poses additional threats.
Climate Change and the Erosion of Cultural Identity
Herding is more than an economic activity; it is central to the cultural identity and spiritual life of many tribal groups. Seasonal migration routes are often linked with festivals, rituals, and oral storytelling traditions. As herding becomes less viable, communities face not just material hardship but cultural erosion. Elders worry that younger generations are losing interest in pastoralism and opting for wage labor or migration to urban centers, which further accelerates the loss of indigenous knowledge systems.
Adaptive Practices and Indigenous Resilience
Despite these challenges, tribal communities are not passive victims of climate change. My research has also documented remarkable examples of resilience and innovation:
● Communities are experimenting with livestock diversification and selectively breeding
animals better suited to new climatic conditions.
● Informal networks of knowledge exchange have emerged, where elders mentor youth in
adaptive grazing techniques and alternative fodder options.
● In regions where local governance allows, community-based pasture management
practices are being reintroduced to maintain ecosystem balance.
These initiatives underscore the importance of recognizing and supporting tribal knowledge systems as a vital part of the global response to climate change.
Preliminary Insights and Way Forward
The preliminary findings from my fieldwork suggest that climate change is not just an environmental issue for tribal communities; it is also a social and cultural crisis. The erosion of traditional herding practices due to climatic and land use changes is leading to profound shifts in identity, community cohesion, and livelihood security.
Despite these challenges, tribal communities are also modeling how climate adaptation can be rooted in cultural continuity, community cooperation, and deep ecological understanding. Their experiences offer critical lessons for building resilient food systems, conserving biodiversity, and fostering sustainable land use.
Bridging Knowledge Systems
A central aim of this research is to advocate for greater inclusion of tribal voices in
environmental policymaking. Too often, development and conservation agendas marginalize these communities, viewing them as obstacles rather than partners in management. Bridging scientific and indigenous knowledge systems is not only ethical but essential for crafting holistic and sustainable responses to climate change.
It is important to highlight the urgent need for policies that protect both the rights of tribal communities and the ecosystems they sustain. This includes legal recognition of customary grazing rights, investment in community-led adaptation projects, and platforms that elevate indigenous perspectives in climate discourse.
Conclusion
Tribal herders stand on the frontlines of climate change witnessing, enduring, and responding to transformations that will soon affect us all. Their stories are stories of loss, but also of resilience and innovation. If we are to navigate the complex terrain of climate adaptation, we must walk alongside them, learn from them, and act in solidarity.
In doing so, we not only preserve ancient traditions but Inspire a shared future rooted in fairness and environmental care.
About the contributor: Kartik is the State President of Gaddi Students Welfare Association Himachal Pradesh (Tribal Association), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. He is a fellow of EPAYF 2.0 – Environment Policy and Action Youth Fellowship, Cohort 2.0.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: Strengthening Grassroots Democracy Since 2004
Acknowledgement: This article was posted by Khushboo Dandona, a research intern at IMPRI.
