Movement of Pastoral Nomads
* The nomads who live in the different terrains of India follow various seasonal movements to earn their livelihood.
* There are different communities of nomadic pastoralists in India.
* Nomadic pastoralists adjust their movement and activities according to the surrounding conditions to make a living.
Colonial Rule and Pastoral Life
* The British tried to immobilise and control the nomadic pastoralists.
* The British never trusted the nomads and wanted to control them completely.
* Pastoralists were issued permits for entry into the forests for grazing and the time of entry and departure were strictly monitored and limited.
* The British passed the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871 under which several communities of pastoralists were classified as criminal tribes.
* The colonial government imposed various taxes on land, canal water, salt, trade goods and animals to increase its revenue.
Pastoralism in Africa
* Africa is home to many pastoral communities like Bedouins, Berbers, Maasai, Somali, Boran and Turkana.
* The Maasais were one such tribe living in the eastern Africa who were victim of the colonial rule.
* 60 percent of Maasailand was taken over.
* Large areas of grazing land were converted into game reserves.
* Despite all odds, the African pastoralists adapted themselves to change.