Human activities which generate income are | Class 12 Geography Notes

Pastoralism

Pastoralism refers to the domestication and rearing of animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools, and transport. It evolved as a sustainable alternative to hunting. Pastoralism is practiced either as nomadic herding or commercial livestock rearing, depending on geographical and technological factors. Nomadic herding is a primitive subsistence activity where herders move with their livestock in search of pastures and water. Each nomadic group occupies a traditional territory and moves seasonally or vertically (transhumance) between pastures. Different animals are reared in different regions: cattle in tropical Africa, sheep, goats, and camels in deserts, yaks and llamas in mountainous regions, and reindeer in Arctic zones. The core nomadic herding region extends from North Africa across the Arabian Peninsula to Mongolia and Central China. Movement patterns include horizontal migration over vast distances and vertical migration in mountains. Transhumance is the seasonal movement between plains and mountains, practiced by groups like Gujjars and Bakarwals in the Himalayas. However, nomadic herding is declining due to political boundaries and settlement policies. Commercial livestock rearing is more organized and capital intensive, practiced on permanent ranches mainly in Western countries. Ranches are divided into fenced parcels to regulate grazing, and animals are moved according to pasture carrying capacity. It is specialized, focusing on one animal type like sheep, cattle, or goats, producing meat, wool, hides, and skins for export. Scientific breeding, disease control, and health care are emphasized. Important countries practicing commercial livestock rearing include New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, and the USA.

📊 Diagram: Figure 4.3 shows nomads taking sheep to mountains at summer onset. Figure 4.4 maps areas of nomadic herding across North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Mongolia, Central China, Eurasian tundra, South-west Africa, and Madagascar. Figure 4.5 depicts commercial livestock rearing with fenced ranches and controlled grazing.

🔗 Connection: This section transitions into agriculture by explaining animal rearing practices, setting the stage for discussing crop cultivation and farming systems.