There are many similarities in the way in which the modern world forced changes in the lives of pastoral communities in India and East Africa. Write about any two examples of changes which were similar for Indian Pastoralists and the Masai herders.
India and Africa, both were colonies of the European colonial power. Therefore, their exploitation was on the similar pattern.
(i) One of the problems which the Masai have faced is the continuous loss of their grazing lands. The colonial government also encouraged the local peasants to expand cultivation. In India, the colonial power transferred the pasture land from the common people to individuals. Large areas of grazing land were turned into game reserves in Africa. The pastoralists were not allowed to enter in reserves. In India also, pastoral lands were reserved, for commercial use of entertainment complex.
(ii) In India and Africa, the forests were reserved, other were declared protected. As a result, the pastoralists were not allowed to enter them and to graze their animals. They lost their traditional forest rights like usage of timber, forest produce, fuels, fodder for their livestock.
Explain why nomadic tribes need to move from one place to another. What are the advantages to the environment of this continuous movement?
Discuss why the colonial government in India brought in the following laws. In each case, explain how the law changed the lives of pastoralists:
Give reason to explain why the Masai community lost their grazing lands.
