Table 3 Frequency (F) of reasons for villagers to lease pasture in Pin to migratory livestock herders (based on 13 interviews with Pin villagers) and frequency (F) of reasons that result in the Kinnaura herders undertaking migration, based on 28 interviews

Spiritual—a local deity in the Rupi-Bhaba area is worshipped by both the people of Pin and the migratory Kinnaura herders. It is said that the deity demarcated Pin valley as an important seasonal area for the migratory herders. The local community in Pin valley continues to comply with this.

12

Nutrition—Migration is essential for finding both quality and quantity of forage.

27

Monetary—Migratory herders pay a fee to access the grazing pastures in Pin. Income from this is used for communal activities such as repairing community halls and contributions to religious activities.

11

Space—Rupi-Bhaba pastures aren’t large enough to feed the livestock during summers, when they need nutritious forage before being sold in the autumn.

24

Fertilizer—The faeces from the large migratory sheep/goat herds is considered to be an effective manure, particularly for agricultural pea and barley fields. Dung is collected in autumn (after the herds leave Pin) for use in the following spring.

9

Disease—The rains hit Rupi-Bhaba during the time the livestock are in Pin. The wet weather increases the prevalence of diseases like endo-parasites, ecto-parasites and FMDV.

21

Meat—Based on long-standing relationships, migratory herders are known to share meat from their sheep/goats with certain members of the Pin valley community. The latter in turn share the meat with other villagers.

5

Weather—Due to the rains in Rupi-Bhaba, the mountains get extremely misty. This increases the chance of losing livestock

19

Tradition—It is tradition and thus needs to continue

9