The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), led by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, addressed challenges that pastoral communities encounter in obtaining grazing access within national parks and sanctuaries. The committee instructed the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct an in-depth analysis of how pastoral and nomadic groups depend on these conserved regions.
According to the minutes from the March 21 session, the WII’s investigation will assess the scope and characteristics of this reliance, along with associated legal matters, social and economic factors, and environmental impacts.
Notable pastoral groups in India include the Gujjars, Bakkarwals, Bhotia, Van Gujjars, Mongpa, Maldharis, Rabari, Raika, Dhangar, Gollar, Gaddi, Changpa, and Kuruba.
