India is counting pastoral livestock for the first time in history

Every year, Mir Hamza migrates across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir with buffaloes, goats and sheep, grazing them as he goes. Last year, he was on this journey with other pastoralists when a car drove into his herd of 15 buffaloes. Because the animals were travelling closely together, Hamza recounted, five died on the spot and the rest were seriously injured.

The group tried to file a claim for compensation from the offending party – but they learnt that they were not entitled to make a claim because the buffaloes were not officially registered with the government. They were told there was nothing anyone could do.

Under India’s current policies, pastoralists, many of whom are from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, cannot legally register livestock. Unlike their counterparts on settled land, they cannot access insurance, vaccines, veterinary care and compensation when animals are injured or killed.

“No government or institution is ready to believe that you own these cattle, and this is your livelihood,” Hamza said.

But a historic step may mark a major change in the rights and recognitions afforded to nomadic and migratory herders.

India announced earlier this month that its 2024 livestock census will, for the first time, also enumerate pastoral livestock. Officials say this...

Read more