Changing Patterns of Cattle Herding in the Dorokha Region, Bhutan

Abstract

The tradition of herding cattle has been practiced in the grasslands of Dorokha for centuries.
However, the number of migratory herders coming down to Dorokha from Haa district has declined significantly in recent years. The passing of the Land Act of Bhutan, and its implementation in January 2017, led to the nationalization of grasslands, thus taking away the private ownership that the herders once enjoyed. This Land Act, coupled with wider social and economic changes, now pose a threat to the age-old tradition of cattle herding in Dorokha. These changes, even as they have some positive impact on environmental conservation, place great strain on the traditional livelihood of the herders and their families. This article explores this current scenario.