Sustainable pastoralism amid changing climate: eco-centric practices of Bakarwal nomads in the Western Himalayas

Climate change poses significant challenges to communities, particularly those with deep-rooted cultural and ecological ties to their environments. This study explores the eco-centric pastoral practices of the Bakarwal nomads, who inhabit the Pir Panjal range of the Indian Western Himalayas. Through a qualitative research design, including six Focus Group Discussions and ten in-depth interviews conducted during the winters of 2020–2022, the author examined how the Bakarwals navigate the complexities of climate change through bi-annual transhumance. This traditional practice, rooted in their cultural heritage, involves moving livestock between winter and summer pastures and is integral to their economic viability. The Bakarwals articulated their reliance on Traditional Ecological Knowledge to sustain their pastoral lifestyle, which not only ensures the availability of fodder and reduces health risks for their livestock but also promotes resilience against extreme weather conditions. The narratives collected highlight their adaptive strategies, revealing a profound understanding of local ecology that has been passed down through generations. This study underscores the importance of grassroot eco-justice and the potential of indigenous knowledge systems in informing broader climate adaptation strategies. By emphasizing the eco centric values and outcomes inherent in Bakarwal practices, the research contributes to the discourse on climate resilience and sustainability within pastoralist communities, offering insights for global climate policy.