Analysis of livelihood structure of pastoralists in Banni grassland in Kachchh district of Gujarat in India

Abstract

Banni grassland in Kachchh district of Gujarat in India is situated at 69024’ E longitude to 23042’ N latitude axis and spread in about 3847 sq km area. Banni region is a vast salt affected plain and experiences arid climate with average rainfall of 317mm received by southwest monsoon spread between June to September with high coefficient of Variation of 65%. Banni grassland is home to migratory pastoralists, generally called maldharies, for more than 500 years. Banni area comprises of 48 hamlets/villages organized into 19 Panchayats with a population of approximately 40,000 people. Maldharies are landless and depend upon village commons (Gauchars) for their livestock rearing. Banni buffaloes, kankrej cows, sheep, goat and camel are the domesticated animals. Breeding of kankrej bullocks and banni buffaloes for draught and milch purpose respectively was the traditional occupation and main source of income for maldharies. They breed and sell these animals to farmers in Gujarat and other parts of the country. Since late 1970s there has been a gradual shift in livestock population formerly dominated by kankrej cows to one now dominated by banni buffaloes. Change in vegetation pattern, especially invasion of Prosopis juliflora is attributed as one of the main reasons by farmers for this occupational shift. Feeding on P. juliflora pods over a period of time leads to dislocation and weakening of jaws in cows leading to their death. Mechanization of agriculture in Kachchh and other parts of Gujarat has led to reduction in use of bullocks for draught purpose. Consequently the demand for kankrej bullocks has also reduced drastically. On the other hand, banni buffaloes are tolerant to ill effects of feeding on P. juliflora. Hence, number of banni buffaloes has increased drastically since 1980s when compared to kankrej cows. Improved road connectivity of villages in banni area to Bhuj city and other towns and establishment of milk collection centers in the region has also played a vital role in growth and development of banni buffalo based dairy enterprise. These internal and external factors have led to change in occupational structure in banni region. Hence, documentation of changes in occupational structure and the driving factors behind such change is important. This research paper has the objective of analyzing the combination of various livelihood options available for pastoralist households of banni region.