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Gaddi is the community of people involving various castes of the mountainous stretch of the Himalayas, who traditionally took up the profession of rearing animals specifically the sheep and goat. The migratory sheep and goat production system have been the mainstay of the tribal economy of the tiny hill state Himachal Pradesh. The Gaddi breed of goat reared by the gaddi people is a distinctly recognized Himalayan goat. The shepherds who took this profession early in life are certainly worried that in times to come, one shall not be able to see many people actively engaged in this transhumance practice. "The profession is being looked down upon by their descendants. They find government/corporate jobs more lucrative. That's how the times have changed" said one of the respondent shepherds. Considering the hard work and efforts that go into the nomadic lifestyle of these people, surely the profession doesn't seem to be a cakewalk.
The ever-declining number of people taking up the profession, flock size, and decreasing grazing land availability was already a concern. The Covid-19 pandemic added to the wrath of shepherds of the state. The government did not impose any ban on the rearing of animals during the pandemic; however, the fear of the virus is keeping up the state shepherds in their homes for now. "Yes I fear the virus; I am worried about everyone in my family. I will be leaving for higher hills in a month or so to rear the flock" said a middle-aged pastoralist when contacted telephonically. However, there has been a decline in cases of theft of sheep and goat during this lockdown period unlikely otherwise. Those who are mentally ready for their migration to far-flung areas are a bit happier about the restrictions on vehicular movement. This will surely ease out the movement on roads and also fewer chances of their animals being stolen.
The Covid-19 pandemic did not only ring the happy bells for the Gaddis but brought in some disadvantages. The shepherds were not able to sell their animals for meat purposes in the first two phases of lockdown, consequently leading to a decline in their earnings during the times of global crisis. However, as the government rolled out the relaxations in subsequent lockdowns, a considerable number of animals were sold for meat purposes. The respondents are aware of the pandemic because of social media and give this credit to the children in the house. Surely, the only way the younger generation has helped them with.
The tribal pastoralists are mostly men with low literacy levels and experience over two decades own small flocks haven't surely been able to get their younger children into the nomadic way of life they have lived with their fathers and grandfathers. Although, with all their faith restored in local deities, hopes high and a smile on wrinkled faces, they will be all set to move up to the inhospitable pristine hills in the coming months.
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