Kathmandu, 1 Nov: These days, in Vibang of Nisikhola Gaupalika-6, Baglung, cattle, buffaloes, and white-faced sheep can be seen grazing all over the fields. Sitting nearby, the herders are busy chatting and relaxing. Having spent about four months in the high pastures, the herders are very happy to be reunited with their relatives in the village. The movement of herders and livestock has increased in the Bhalkot area since the herds were brought down from the mountains.
The fields and barren lands of Bhalkot are covered with cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats. According to the local tradition of migrating to the high pastures in Jestha/Ashadh and returning to the lower settlements in Asoj, the hustle and bustle in Bhalkot has increased this year too after the herders descended. As a single family keeps hundreds of animals, the herders lead a nomadic life. Herders who spent the monsoon in the highland areas spanning the borders of Baglung, Rolpa, and Eastern Rukum—areas like Rig, Tilachan, and Khanikhola—are now in the lower regions like Bharkobang, Bhalkot, Morakhola, and Vibang. Local Man Bahadur Bohara informed that after the wheat and barley are harvested in these areas, the herds will move to places called *Kharchan* and *Ghum*.
Bohara said that the herders first descend from the mountains to Bharkobang and then gradually move to other places after the wheat and barley are harvested. He further stated that they will stay in the Bhalkot area for about the next 15 days and then move the herds to places like Ghum and Kharchan. “This is like our tradition. We cannot keep so many animals in one place; they must be reared by going to the high pastures in the monsoon and the lower settlements in the winter. Our ancestors did the same, and we have been continuing that practice. However, the situation lately is not like before,” said Bohara. “Many have reduced livestock farming now. In the past, a single household would have five or seven hundred animals; now, the numbers have decreased significantly.”
The Challenges and Declining Allure of a Nomadic Life
Local Dhalendra Gharti Magar shared that they descended to the lower settlements only in the third week of Asoj. He said that after the wheat is harvested in the fields of Bhalkot, the livestock are taken to the farthest points. He mentioned that while in the high pastures, many herders keep their sheep, goats, cows, and buffaloes in the same place, but after descending, they are kept separately. Gharti Magar says that since the animals are tethered in their respective fields in the lower settlements, the fields are filled with livestock. He shared that he used to have nearly 100 cattle but now the number has greatly reduced.
“Raising livestock is very difficult,” said Gharti Magar. “They cannot be kept and reared in one place; we have to go from place to place all year round for grazing. We have to move the shelters, move the animals, and cut grass. It must have been even harder for our ancestors. They used to rear many more animals back then. Just making a living from this isn’t enough; one has to endure other hardships as well.”
Although the farmers in this area have been raising hundreds of animals, they have not been able to commercialize their practice. Local Kumbhira Magar, who shared that he has 51 cows, said that he cannot make a living from this. He mentioned that since his family has been raising cows from the beginning, they have continued the practice. He says that keeping many cows provides manure for the fields. Magar shared that he is unable to sell milk and ghee worth even Rs 20,000 per year.
