Migration is considered an important means of a living for those in margins and more

so for those living in rain-fed areas. This case study is an attempt to understand

shepherd migration in Mahabubnagar district. The rural populace in general and

resource poor in particular subsist on small ruminant-based livelihoods. They graze

their livestock in the common grazing areas of the village and surrounding areas.

The decline in pastures and the change in natural resource base have put those who

subsist on small ruminants under pressure.

Every year between January and July as the grass dries up and water becomes

scarce, shepherds in the district migrate with their sheep in search of grass and

water. I was curious to discuss with them how the seasonal migrations help them in

their livelihoods. While returning from fieldwork, I saw a large herd of sheep grazing

in fallow land near Dhanwada village. I started talking to an old man: before long,

seven more shepherds joined in our discussion.

The shepherds were from the villages of Peddajatram, Dhanwada and Kollampally in

Narayanpet Division in Mahabubnagar District. They had just returned from seasonal

migration. Every year, they leave in January and usually return after rains in June /

July. During this period there is a scarcity of water and fodder for their animals.

They estimated that about 10 lakh local breed sheep are taken (500km to 700km)

from Mahabubnagar to distant places in Nalgonda, Khammam, Karimnagar and

Warangal Districts. Each shepherd owns an average of 50 to 200 sheep. During the

migration period it is usual for other family members to take it in turns to migrate.

That is, after 30 days the first person is replaced by the second; and so on.

During the migration, the sheep graze on the tufts of grass available in the open

harvested fields, on the bunds and on other village commons. As the sheep

droppings are good for soil fertility, farmers allow the sheep to graze in their fields

and keep them in temporary enclosures on the fields at night. In return, the farmers

sometimes serve the shepherds with food or give them money.

Each day during the migration, the shepherds cover about 10 to 25 km. They need

to be alert while passing by fields under crops. If the sheep trespass the fields and

damage the crops, the shepherds are forced to pay fines (up to Rs. 10,000) to the

respective farmer/s. In such cases, they are sometimes forced to sell their sheep to

pay the fine.

This case study illustrates that shepherds have learned to sustain their livelihoods

from the common property resources far beyond their geographical area. The

recurring drought in the District has made many people adapt to such migrations to