Tamil Nadu Pastoral Community Advocates for Economic Board and Legal Safeguards
In a significant move to address the longstanding issues faced by pastoral communities, members of the Tamil Nadu Federation for Pastoral People's Sangam (TFPPS) submitted a detailed petition to the DMK election manifesto committee on Tuesday. The petition strongly emphasises the urgent demands of the pastoral community, calling for the establishment of a pastoral economic development board and the enactment of protective legislation for migratory pastoralists.
Key Demands for Economic Empowerment
President of the TFPPS, Rajiv Gandhi, highlighted the critical need to include protective orders in the manifesto to ensure the welfare of the pastoralist community. The demands focus on creating a pastoral economic development board, which would play a pivotal role in facilitating essential services such as livestock insurance, access to loans, and improved market opportunities. Gandhi explained, "The board would also help the pastoralist community with access to traditional grazing lands and the rights to them, helping the community preserve local animal breeds as well as their own livelihoods."
Challenges Faced by Pastoralists
Gandhi further elaborated on the daily struggles encountered by pastoralists, stating, "Our people face daily challenges of social exclusion and false legal cases simply for following the paths of our ancestors." He emphasised that the livelihoods of approximately 20 lakh families are at stake, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The community's traditional practices, which have been passed down through generations, are increasingly threatened by modern legal and social barriers.
Call for Legal Protection and Recognition
The petition also advocates for the enactment of a protection Act specifically for migratory pastoralists in Tamil Nadu. This proposed legislation would be modelled after similar acts in neighbouring states and aims to provide legal immunity for nomadic herders against harassment by police and forest officials. Additionally, it seeks to formally recognise traditional migratory routes and ‘temporary transit stays’. Gandhi noted, "Such measures are essential to the preservation of the ‘green economy' that these traditional communities maintain."
He added that providing legal recognition and economic support would revitalise this way of life, which currently contributes to about 3% of the state's agricultural GDP. The proposed measures are seen as vital steps towards safeguarding the cultural heritage and economic contributions of pastoral communities, ensuring their sustainable future in Tamil Nadu.
