To improve the livelihoods of graziers and strengthen the rural economy, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved the Himachal Pradesh Grazing Policy, 2026. The policy marks a significant shift in pastoral governance by replacing rigid restrictions with a dynamic, science-based framework that promotes ecological sustainability alongside economic empowerment.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the policy recognises responsible grazing as an important tool for maintaining grassland productivity, enhancing soil carbon stocks and conserving biodiversity. As part of the initiative, the Forest Department, in coordination with the Animal Husbandry Department, will create a comprehensive digital database portal. Within the next six months, graziers will be required to register their names, addresses, livestock numbers, traditional migration routes and halting grounds.
The portal will link graziers’ profiles with Aadhaar, Him Pariwar and the Bharat Pashudhan portal to ensure seamless verification of user data. The policy also provides an opportunity for traditional pastoralists who have been operating without formal permits to regularize their status. Local Grazing Advisory Committees will assess such cases and issue permits through a transparent and legally codified process.
Future grazing permits will be granted after evaluating pasture availability, forest carrying capacity, the requirements of wildlife species and the customary grazing rights of local communities. To ensure sustainable use of forest resources, the policy introduces a structured rotational grazing system aimed at supporting long-term regeneration of forest compartments.
The policy also formally recognises traditional hired herders, known as Pohals, by integrating them into the state portal to enhance their security and livelihood prospects. Additionally, traditional grazing corridors will be geo-tagged under a thematic mapping project, while plantations older than seven years will be opened for regulated grazing.
