Adventure and outdoor travel forum

Shepherds in the mountainous terrains of Bharmour tribal subdivision are being forced to deviate from their ancestral occupation of sheep rearing as the dimension of pasturelands has reduced drastically.

To provide maximum fodder in limited pastures, appropriate schemes need to be drawn up for the welfare of the shepherds in this subdivision in Chamba district.

Though the state government has allocated a budget of Rs 20.64 lakh under the annual tribal area sub-plan for the current financial year, it is quite meager so far as the development of sheep rearing is concerned.

Every possible step needs to be taken to save this occupation, which is the backbone wool industry of this region and supplier of quality proteins to non-vegetarians.

Bharmour earlier used to be called as Brahmpura or Gaddi, which means throne of Lord Shiva. From this, the Gaddi tribe originated and the word Gaddi comes synonymous with one who deals with sheep and goats.

Gaddis offer prayers by sacrificing their animals in the name of Lord Shiva during religious ceremonies especially during the famous Manimahesh pilgrimage.

Earlier, these shepherds had a belief that their livestock is safe and sound only when Lord Shiva is happy, so they used to offer bali of their animals to propitiate their God.

READ FULL STORY