Dharamshala, Dec. 3 -- BJP MLA Dr. Janak Raj on Monday raised in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly the growing distress of sheep-rearing communities, urging the state government to extend special protection and timely interventions to safeguard the traditional livelihood of pastoral families.
Highlighting the crisis faced by nearly 748 registered sheep herders in his constituency alone, Dr. Raj said the age-old occupation has come under severe strain due to rising incidents of theft, shortage of essential veterinary medicines, curbs on grazing pastures, and unchecked influx of animals from outside the state, which has depressed the market for local breeds.
He said that during the ongoing winter migration, a spurt in thefts has been reported f...