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Values, environmental vulnerabilities and adaptation in India

Table 2. The change in the accomplishment value of a pastoralist.
Lived values Past value quotes Present value quotes
Esteem “There was a lot of prestige associated with “I left migration. If I migrate with livestock, my
migration and plenty of livestock.” children’s education will suffer. I was wild, and my
children will also become wild like me.”

The practice of seasonal livestock migration also enhanced their social status, respect, and pride. They cherished the
freedom, enterprise, and sense of adventure that is inherent in this practice.
“I used to enjoy going to Madhya Pradesh with my livestock. Everyone used to treat us well. They would give us food
to eat. We would smoke bidi.” (35-year-old Raika)
Chemical fertilizers have replaced cattle manure, which was provided by the Raikas in return for the farmers’
hospitality. This respondent has stopped the practice of seasonal livestock migration. The same sense of esteem is now
derived from education, government or private jobs, entrepreneurship, ability to speak English, and western clothes such
as trousers and shirts.

3.1.2. Belongingness
Belongingness entails values such as social interactions, place attachment, and traditions. The Raikas’ sense of
belongingness was closely attached to many of the unique elements of their culture, such as the dang groups in which they
migrated, their traditional attire, and their livestock. The Raikas are the only community to use camels on the occasion of
nikasi, the departure of a groom’s marriage party, and at the toran, the entrance of the bride’s house (Tripathi and Rajput,
2005). These practices have dwindled in the past two decades. For example, the seasonal livestock migration in dangs
has decreased.
“This is our inter-generational work. My father kept livestock, and his father, before him. I used to accompany my
father every day and learned how to tend to livestock. It is what we studied, but the new generation doesn’t do that.”
(55-year-old Raika)

3.1.3. Safety
The notion of safety was inextricably linked to their livestock until two decades ago. It provided Raikas a regular stream
of income through the sale of animals, wool, dairy, and dung. Moreover, the milk and clarified butter derived from the
livestock are essential ingredients of their daily diet. One Raika claimed that he would go hungry but not let the same
happen to his camel. His resolve toward the well-being of his livestock demonstrates the importance of livestock in his
life.
Things are changing fast in the safety domain as well. The past two decades have seen a breakdown of cooperation with
farmers, scuffles, and thefts during migration cycles, low prices of wool, and overall financial hardship. Ninety percent
of respondents stated that they are experiencing financial hardship and face personal safety risks in livestock migration.
Thus, the sense of predictability, confidence, and safety that was derived from livestock ownership and seasonal livestock
migration is no longer present.
3.1.4. Self-actualization
Earlier, the self-actualization values of the Raikas, such as identity, religion, freedom, ability to better themselves, work-
life balance, and social mobility, were contingent on their livestock and social cohesion. The older generation advised
the younger generation to focus on taking care of the cattle. The popular myths spoke of their sacred duty to protect and
preserve camels. There was a sense of joy derived from a lifestyle closely attached to livestock.
“My father and I used to go together for cattle grazing to the forest. I would follow him. This way, I learned how to
drive cattle, how to herd them, where they can be fed water. We did that together. I used to enjoy it.” (60-year-old Raika)
This shows that livestock was inextricably attached to their sense of identity and freedom. The same respondent is now
eager to sell his livestock.
“I saw and heard from people that it is important to get the kids to study. So, we enrolled them in a primary school.
The kids are now saying that father, you are right. If you had studied, we would have been even better.” (60-year-old
pastoralist)
Thus, livestock management, which earlier offered them self-actualization traits like freedom and identity, is now
perceived to be disadvantageous.

60 International Journal of Population Studies | 2020, Volume 6, Issue 1