How did the various laws passed by the British affect the Indian pastoralists?

How did the various laws passed by the British affect the Indian pastoralists?

Ans.

(i) The various laws led to a serious shortage of pastures. The shepherds and cattle herders could no longer freely pasture their cattle in the forests.

(ii) Their grazing land declined. This led to continuous intensive grazing of these pastures.

(iii) Under the forest acts, the pastorals were not allowed to have access in reserved forest. However, they were granted some ‘grazing rights’ in the forests.

(iv) This is turn led to a further shortage of forage for animals and deterioration of animal stock. Underfed cattle died in large numbers during scarcities and famines.