In a significant move for a often-marginalised community, the state of Karnataka has introduced new legislation aimed at supporting its pastoralist populations. However, a critical analysis suggests the law may be missing the mark by prioritising short-term welfare over the fundamental issue of resource rights.
The Core of the Controversy
Authored by experts Gautam Aredath and Sachin Pernacca Sashidhar, and published on 11 November 2025, the opinion piece argues that while the government's intent is visible, its approach is flawed. The new law, they contend, primarily pushes welfarism. This means it likely focuses on providing benefits, subsidies, or aid packages. While such support can offer temporary relief, the authors stress that it does not address the root causes of the challenges pastoralists face.
Beyond Welfare: The Need for Secured Rights
The central argument presented is that real outreach is in securing access to land and grazing rights. For pastoralist communities, whose livelihoods are intrinsically linked to the movement of their herds, guaranteed access to traditional grazing routes and common lands is not a luxury but a necessity for survival. Welfarism, without these secured rights, risks making communities dependent without making them secure. It fails to protect them from the encroachment of urban development, agricultural expansion, and the privatization of common resources, which are constant threats to their nomadic way of life.
The Path Forward for Pastoralist Communities
The implications of this legal shortfall are profound. Without legally enforceable land and grazing rights, pastoralists in Karnataka remain vulnerable to displacement and economic instability. The authors' analysis serves as a crucial reminder that true empowerment for these communities comes from legal recognition and protection of their traditional practices and the resources they depend on. The conversation must shift from merely providing aid to actively securing the pastoralists' place in the state's economic and ecological landscape through rights-based legislation.
