Pastoralism is a subpart of the Class 12 Geography Chapter 4 which is entitled as the Primary Activities. Pastoralism is considered a primary activity that is related to the upbringing of domestic animals to graze in a large outdoor land or pastures. Pastoralism is a process of nomadic herding process or a form of substance were a group of people depends on the livestock for their food and other related needs. In the process of Pastoralism, the herders and their animals migrate in search of food and water by following traditional routes and territories. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the Class 12 Geography Chapter 4 subpart the Pastoralism in detail.

Nomadic Herding

Nomadic herding is also known as the pastoral nomadism. It is a process of subsistence activity in which the nomads or the herders rely on the animals directly for food, clothing, shelter, transport, and different needs of life. They generally move from one place to another with their animals in search of food and water. Each nomadic community occupies a specific territory as per their tradition. They can domesticate a variety of animals that can be kept in different regions. In the tropical region specifically of Africa and Asiatic deserts, these people domesticate the goat, sheep, and camel. In the mountain region of Tibet and the Andes, these nomads domesticate the yak and llamas. 

Pastoral Nomadism and Important Regions

Pastoral Nomadism can be divided into three important regions. The core region stretches from the Atlantic shores of North Africa spans through the Arabian Peninsula and ends in Mongolia and Central China. The second region extends over the Tundra region of Eurasia where the southern hemisphere is located. There are some small areas in southwest Africa where these nomads can be found in Madagascar. 

Movement of these pastures is majorly influenced by the over vast horizontal distances or sometimes the vertical regions of the elevation. They generally migrate to other places, specifically in the different mountainous regions. This process of migration happens from the plains to the mountains specifically in summer time and again they return from the mountains to plain areas during the snowy winter times. This type of migration is called as the transhumance. Similarly, the tundra nomadic herders move from south direction to north in summer time and vice-versa in winter. There are two major reasons and for these majorly the nomad peoples are decreasing day by day as mentioned below:

• The imposition of political boundaries by different countries.
• The new settlement plans came into the picture by different countries. 

Commercial Livestock Rearing

Commercial Livestock Rearing is a different and more organized way of pastoralism. It is different because a capital intensive is attached to it. Commercial ranching of livestock is very common in western countries and in this permanent ranching is important. These ranches generally spread into a large area and can be divided into so many sectors as well. It is a fenced area dedicated to regulating the process of glazing. The animals can move from one sector to another. According to the capacity of the pasture, the animal can be placed in these places. It is a specialized activity of the animal rearing process which includes sheep, cattle, goats, and horses. The products including meat, wool, skin, and hides can be processed and marketed for further use as well. 

This type of ranching is mainly organized on a scientific basis as the process of breeding, genetic improvement, control of disease, and health maintenance of animals are also related to it. There are so many places in the world like New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, and United States that depends on this type of pastoralism.

Conclusion

Pastoralism is considered a primary activity that is related to the upbringing of domestic animals to graze in a large outdoor land or pastures. Nomadic herding is also known as the pastoral nomadism. It is a process of subsistence activity in which the nomads or the herders rely on the animals directly for food, clothing, shelter, transport, and different needs of life. Pastoral Nomadism can be divided into three important regions. The core region stretches from the Atlantic shores of North Africa spans through the Arabian Peninsula and ends in Mongolia and Central China. Commercial Livestock Rearing is a different and more organized way of pastoralism. It is different because a capital intensive is attached to it. In this article, we have discussed the Class 12 Geography Chapter 4 subpart Pastoralism in detail.

Read More:

• Pastoralism in Africa
• Cattle Farming Class 9 Notes
• Types of Agriculture in India
• Colonial Rule and Pastoral Life
• Pastoral Nomads and their Movements
• Chapter 5 Pastoralists in the Modern World
• Trading Town in Pastoral Zone| Class 11 History Notes
• Chapter 4 Primary Activities| Class 12 Geography Notes

Pastoralism- FAQs

What are the two types of pastoralism?

Pastoralism is a form of animal husbandry. It is the movement of herders with their herds to other areas for grazing and herding purposes. Transhumance and nomadic pastoralism are two types of pastoralism.

Where was pastoralism?

More than 50 million people in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere practice and treasure this way of life. As nomadic pastoralists, they keep domestic animals and move with them to seek fresh pastures — often selling some of their livestock for meat.

Who were known as pastoralists?

Pastoralists derive all or the majority of their food and other resources from domesticated animals which they herd – goats, sheep, llamas, camels, cattle etc., or less commonly simply follow, for example, reindeer.

Why is pastoralism?

Pastoralism revolves around the herding of animals, often domesticated livestock such as cattle, sheep, or horses. Pastoral communities are highly mobile, as they follow their herds, moving from one grazing area and water source to another according to the seasons or as they exhaust local food sources.

What is an example of pastoralism?

The Maasai people of East Africa, who herd cattle and practice hunting and gathering in addition to herding. The Bedouins are Arab pastoralists who herd camels, goats, and sheep, with one group typically specializing in one type of animal.

What are the main features of pastoralism?

Their primary task is tending herds. The people of the pastoral society live a nomadic life and are dependent on their domesticated animals such as cows, buffalos, camels, and goats for food, labour and transportation. Most pastoral societies nowadays live in Mongolia, parts of Central Asia and East African locations.

What are the three forms of pastoralism?

Three major types of pastoralism can be defined. These are nomadic, seminomadic, and semisedentary. Two other forms, herdsman husbandry and sedentary animal husbandry, are pastoral components of larger agricultural systems.

What are the advantages of pastoral societies?

The importance of pastoral society lies in their ability to produce utilities such as food, wool, and skins, and their role as a form of capital with growth potential. Pastoral societies are important for their sustainable use of rangelands and their ability to adapt to diverse political and ecological conditions.

What is the main occupation of pastoralists?

Most of these tribes raise cattle like goats, camels, sheep, donkeys etc. They sell their milk, hides, meat, fur, wool etc to earn a living. Most of these tribes also combine other activities with the cattle herding. They practice agriculture, do odd jobs to supplement their income.