South Asia Events, News and Resources

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Gram Sabha meetings held on October 2, 2026, passed several resolutions concerning the rights and livelihoods of pastoralist communities in more than 10 village panchayats in Kalaiyarkoil Block, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

The Himalayan Yak Herders Network (HYHN) was successfully launched in Bhutan on 23^rd October graciously presided over by His Majesty the King of Bhutan. His Majesty also declared 23 October as the National Yak Day of Bhutan. This is truly a significant milestone and the culmination of a journey of nearly eight years of collaboration, learning and collective efforts. Yet it is also the beginning of an exciting new journey ahead for yak herders and pastoral communities across the Himalayan region. Tashi Dorji, ICIMOD.

Image

Image

Docx (English, Chinese)

The IYRP 2026 journey was formally launched on January 1, 2026, at 6:00 a.m., during sunrise at Kanyakumari Beach, the southernmost tip of India.  As part of the IYRP 2026 action plan, an awareness journey addressing the key questions “Who are pastoralists?” and “What are rangelands?” will be undertaken across Tamil Nadu.  Also announced was the official inauguration of the "Srivaikuntam Taluk Sheep and Cattle Pastoralists Sangam" on January 7, 2026 in the Thoothukudi District. ​By uniting the traditional pastoral communities around the Vallanadu hill region, this Sangam was established as a vital member of the Tamil Nadu Federation of Pastoral Peoples’ Sangams. 

YRP 2026 Celebration - Thozhuvam Kidai Pongal 

Bengaluru: The assembly Thursday passed a bill aimed at providing welfare measures for migratory shepherds and safeguarding them from atrocities in the 2024-25 state budget. The House also passed The Basavana Bagewadi Development Authority (Amendment) Bill enabling the appointment of legislative council members to the authority, and The Karnataka Appointment of Recovery Commissioner for Seizure and Attachment of Property of Illegal Mining and Proceeds of Crime Bill which empowers the govt to recover money from illegal mining operations by attaching assets.

Exploring commons, climate & culture with a youth perspective

21–23 June 2024, Bechraji, Gujarat, India

Workshop on Rangeland Management for Sustainable Rural Development

July 29 -31, 2024, Venue: SKICC, Srinagar, UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Organized by Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Jammu and Kashmir

In collaboration with Regional IYRP Support Group of South Asia (RISG-SA) and 

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Communications Committee meeting minutes (February 2021)