Livelihood hit, Bharmour shepherds seek ban on livestock influx from Rajasthan

Shepherds in the Bharmour region of Chamba district have expressed concern over the influx of a large number of sheep and goats from Rajasthan. They claim that the arrival of these animal is severely affecting their traditional livelihood.

Members of the Himachal Pradesh Shepherds’ Union and Bharmour MLA Janak Raj have urged the government to impose legal restrictions on the entry and sale of livestock brought from other states.

Union president Budhi Ram says that sheep and goats are being transported from Rajasthan in huge numbers and sold at lower prices, leading to a steep decline in the market prices of the local livestock. “More than 7,000 shepherds in Himachal depend on this traditional occupation and their income has been hit hard,” he adds.

The MLA warns that if immediate steps are not taken to control the unchecked entry of animals from Rajasthan, the state’s traditional sheep-rearing industry can extinct. He adds that animals brought in without verification or regulatory oversight are dominating local markets, posing a threat to indigenous breeds and increasing the risk of animal diseases and infections.

He accuses the state government of inaction and says that its silence is benefiting traders from other states while local shepherds are being pushed to the margins. He urges Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Animal Husbandry Department to convene a meeting soon and take a firm decision to restrict the livestock inflow from other states.

Janak Raj also urges the government to provide economic and legal protection to local shepherds. He warns that if their concerns are ignored, they will take their fight “from streets to the Assembly”.

Sheep rearing has been a centuries-old livelihood source for the people of Chamba, mainly in Bharmour and particularly for the Gaddi community that is known for its nomadic lifestyle and traditional animal husbandry practices. The high-altitude pastures and rich grasslands of the region make it ideal for grazing and local breeds of sheep are valued for their fine-quality wool and meat. For generations, shepherding has not only been an economic activity but also a vital part of Bharmour’s cultural identity. However, the recent inflow of cheaper livestock from other states has disrupted local markets, threatening both the economic sustainability and heritage value of this traditional occupation.