WOMEN AND MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURE By TASADOQ H. JAWEED

PASTORALISM Pastoralism is a subsistence pattern in which people make their living by domesticating large herds of animals. It promotes the conversion of the low quality plant resources into portable, high quality animal foods. Low level of energy availability necessitates low population density and high mobility among pastoral population.

Van Gujjar Gujjar Bakarwal Pohol (Chopan) Goor (Waggi)

PASTORAL NOMADS Everyone in group moves along with herd. No permanent settlements, but permanent water source for cattle. Large herds common, even though conditions of land don’t always support large numbers.

TRANSHUMANTS Transhumant pastoralists follow a cyclic migratory pattern from cool highland valleys in summer to warmer lowland valleys in winter. Practice of regular movement of herds between fixed points to exploit seasonal availability of pastures.

AGRO-PASTORALISTS Agricultural part is practiced on marginal lands or fallow lands, sometimes called village pastoralism. Farming that combines agricultural(growing crops) and pastoral (rearing livestock) activities.

COMPARISON OF FARMERS VS. PASTORALISTS  Farmers value hard work, Pastoralists like slow work.  Farmers consult each other, cooperate; Pastoralists work independently.  Farmers more suspicious of strangers; Pastoralists hostile to neighbors.  Farmers indirect, anxious; Pastoralists direct, open.

Women play a central role in the transhumant way of life, providing labour for the various tasks with regard to the livestock, the land and the household. ROLE OF WOMEN

The livestock production system can be broadly divided into five categories with increasing responsibilities on women. 1.Women are not involved in livestock production. 2.Women are accountable for processing of animal products. 3.Women are liable for managing small stock and other animals kept at home besides processing of animal products. 4.Women are responsible for managing and herding large livestock, other animals and processing of livestock produce. 5.Along with other responsibilities of livestock, women also indulge in trading.

S. NoActivityWomanMan 1 Animal husbandry Grazing cattle, milking cattleTaking care and look after 2 HandloomSpinning, stitchingWeaving blankets and selling it in the market 3 CarpentrySelection of timber and pattern of hut Making furniture 4 Household activity Cooking food, cleaning and doing kitchen work *** 5 LabourFewDo it 6 BusinessSelling productsTransactions Division of Labour between man and woman

S. No Activity Girl/ Daughter/ Unmarried women Married women Barren women Widow Divorcee 1 Animal husbandry √√√√ √ 2 Handloom √√√√ √ 3 Carpentry √√√√ √ 4 Household activity √√√√ √ 5 Labour NO √ √ 6 Business NO√√√ √ PROFESSIONAL NICHES OF A PASTORAL WOMEN

S. No ActivityVan GujjarGujjar/ BakarwalPohal/ Waggi 1 Animal husbandry √√√ 2 Handloom √√√ 3 Carpentry √√√ 4 Household activity √√√ 5 Labour √√NO 6 Business NO √ ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION S. NoDecisionVan GujjarGujjar/ BakarwalPohal/ Waggi 1 Migration time √√√ 2 Migration route √√√ 3 Means of migration √√√ 4 Camping station √√√ 5 Size of herd/ flock √√√ 6 Composition of herd/ flock √√√ 7 Family leadership √√ √ DECISION MAKING

In Himalaya women perform almost half of the agricultural activities and all domestic chores. Women not only do most of the work and but also make many decisions about pastoral activities. Pastoral women play a far more active role in economic decision making, a factor that has important implications for developmental and planning of resources. Their work load increases when environmental degradation forces them to journey ever farther in search of firewood or fodder for livestock. CONCLUSION

“Now, we only have three cows, compared with 50 cows. We now have to buy milk, whereas previously we sold it, as well as made cheeses and animal products for sale to nearby villages. We also made carpets, but now only my eldest daughter has this skill – probably to be lost as she gains education. Now we no longer have enough wool or any equipment to make carpets. I dream of a return to a nomadic way of life, but the dream is fading. I am wondering how to keep the skills alive in my girls.” The Tragedy Is……..

Source: 1.Bhasin V, Bhasin MK (1997). “Women’s Status and Fertility among Transhumant Gaddis of Himachal Pradesh”. In Georg Pfeffer and D.K. Behera (ed.) Contemporary Society: Tribal Stud., 1: Bonnie Boyle, Where Women Come Last, Washington Post, 11 December 1983, pp. C1-2; and Towards Equality, Report of the Committee on the Status of Women in India (New Delhi: India Department of Social Welfare, 1975), p Meena Acharya, Lynn Bennett, Charlotte Hardman, Augusta Molnar, Bina Pradhan, Drone Ra-jaure, Sidney Schular, and Indira Shrestha, The Status of Women in Nepal (2 vols.; Kathmandu: Centre for Economic Development and Administration, 1981), Vol. 2, p. 306.

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