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Shepherds Face Crisis: Youth Flee Tradition for City Life
22 Nov
Summary
- Young shepherds are abandoning tradition due to modern lifestyle and shrinking grazing lands.
- Karnataka's sheep and goat population drastically fell from four crore to 1.4 crore.
- A documentary highlighted Deccan pastoralism, winning international acclaim.
Elders of the shepherd community in Belagavi have voiced grave concerns over the dwindling numbers of young people embracing traditional shepherding. They cited the modern lifestyle, diminishing rainfall, and the loss of essential grazing lands as primary drivers pushing youth towards urban migration. This exodus threatens a practice deeply intertwined with the ecological balance of the region.
The stark decline in livestock numbers, with Karnataka's sheep and goat population plummeting from four crore to 1.4 crore, was highlighted as a critical symptom of this disruption. Community leaders emphasized the urgent need for enhanced environmental protection measures to preserve the common lands vital for pastoral livelihoods.
The recent screening of the award-winning documentary 'Bhed Chal' (Herd Walk) in Belagavi brought national attention to the plight of Deccan pastoralism. The film showcases the unique customs and challenges faced by these communities, underscoring the cultural and ecological significance of their way of life.
