Life in the Mountains: The Journey of Sirmaur’s Nomadic Shepherds

As temperatures rise in the lower regions of Sirmaur district, sheep herders seek refuge in the cool valleys of the mountains. These nomadic shepherds migrate to the plains in winter and the mountains in summer, enduring scorching heat, rain, and freezing cold while living in open fields with their sheep and goats. During the summer, many shepherds reside in the forests of Narkanda, Kinnaur, and Dodra Kwar.

Chhering, a nomadic sheep herder from Chitkul in Kinnaur, shares that rearing sheep and goats is his ancestral profession. To uphold this tradition, he lives outside his house year-round. Despite the struggles, Chhering has grown accustomed to this challenging lifestyle. He notes that the business has significantly declined in Kinnaur, with only a few families continuing the practice, mainly due to the youth’s focus on education.

Similarly, Ramdas, who brings his sheep and goats from Dodra Kwar, mentions a shortage of pastures in the lower areas, prompting many to abandon this profession. He recalls that grazing permits were once easily obtainable from the government, but now, due to the occupation of Shamlat land, herders face difficulties in finding grazing areas.

The number of nomadic sheep herders remains high in regions like Kinnaur, Dodra Kwar, Chamba, and Pangi. According to the Animal Husbandry Department, sheep rearing is prevalent in six districts: Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur, and Sirmaur. Currently, these areas are home to about 19 lakh sheep and goats, with 60 percent belonging to nomadic herders. The Wool Federation organizes awareness camps and provides facilities such as solar lights, first aid kits, and tarpaulins to these herders. Additionally, the Federation purchases wool from them at reasonable rates through special collection centers across the state.