International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) (Current affairs)
1. International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) (Current affairs) • Context: The United Nations General Assembly, during its 76th session, declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), with the Food and Agriculture Organization serving as the lead agency. • What are Rangelands? Rangelands are natural ecosystems such as grasslands, savannas, shrublands, deserts, wetlands and mountain regions used primarily for grazing livestock. According to the UN, rangelands cover nearly half of Earth’s land surface and support millions of people worldwide. These ecosystems are important for biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, water regulation and food security. • What is Pastoralism? Pastoralism is one of humanity’s oldest livelihood systems based on livestock herding and seasonal mobility. Pastoralists rear animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, buffaloes and yaks depending on ecological conditions. Traditional pastoral systems are closely linked with sustainable use of natural resources and indigenous ecological knowledge. • Some Indian Pastoral Communities Raikas or Rabaris – Rajasthan o Traditionally camel and sheep herders found in Rajasthan. o Known for their expertise in camel breeding and desert adaptation. Maldharis – Gujarat o Pastoral communities living in and around the Gir forest region of Gujarat. o Rear cattle and buffaloes and contribute to dairy production. Gujjars and Bakarwals – Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh o Nomadic and transhumant pastoral groups practising seasonal migration in Himalayan regions. o Primarily dependent on sheep, goats and buffaloes. Changpas – Ladakh o Semi-nomadic pastoralists inhabiting the Changthang plateau in Ladakh. o Famous for rearing Pashmina goats producing high-quality wool. Dhangars – Maharashtra o Sheep and goat herding community in Maharashtra. o Practise seasonal migration in search of grazing lands. Todas – Nilgiri Hills o Indigenous pastoral community of the Nilgiri region in Tamil Nadu. o Traditionally dependent on buffalo pastoralism.