Question

There are many similarities in the way in which the modern world forced changes in the lives of pastoral communities in India and East Africa. Write about any two examples of changes which were similar for Indian pastoralists and the Maasai herders.

Answer 1

• The Pastoral Communities in India and Africa were affected in various ways due to the changes forced by the modern world.
• Their pattern of movement was affected by the new borders and laws.
• Due to more restrictions imposed on them by laws, they found it difficult to move their cattles in search of pastures.
• Due to new laws, pasture lands started shrinking, while the remaining pasture lands started deteriorating due to excessive and continuous grazing which was the result of lack of options.
• Pastoralists in India and Africa faced droughts which brought crisis on them as a large number of cattles perished.
• Feeding the cattle became a permanent problem as there was continuous short supply of fodder.
• In India, the British colonial government converted a lot of grazing land into reserve forests, thereby preventing the Indian Pastoralists from entering these areas.
• In Africa, the British colonial government converted a lot of grazing land into national parks and reserve areas, and prevented the Maasai herders from using these areas.