Himachal clears PEHEL project to boost pastoralist livelihoods

The Himachal Pradesh government has approved an initiative to support the State’s pastoralist community through the ‘Sustainable Small Ruminant and Empowered Himalayan Shepherds under Pastoralists Employment in Himalayan Ecosystems for Livelihoods’ (PEHEL) project, aimed at ensuring growth and long-term sustainability.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday (January 16, 2026) said the objective of the project was to secure livelihoods, strengthen the rural economy, preserve ecological balance in high-altitude regions, modernise traditional pastoral systems and conserve indigenous small ruminant breeds.

“Himachal, with its substantial population of migratory sheep and goat herders, stands to benefit immensely from a focused and forward-looking Small Ruminant Development Policy. The project aims to work towards comprehensive breed improvement through the introduction of superior germplasm and the establishment of farms modelled on advanced sheep and goat rearing practices. To enhance productivity and economic sustainability, the government plans to integrate modern technologies such as digital registration of livestock, structured cross-breeding, genetic improvement programmes, artificial insemination and mobile veterinary services,” he said in a statement.

He added, “Special emphasis will be placed on the preservation, propagation, and strengthening of indigenous breeds such as Gaddi sheep and goats, Rampur Bushari sheep and Chegu goats, ensuring the conservation of their genetic diversity and their natural adaptation to the Himalayan ecosystem.”

The policy also includes financial incentives, insurance coverage and social security measures, with special provisions for pastoralists safeguarding sensitive border areas, he said, adding that the project would also have genetic-led animal upliftment and resilience initiatives, adopting a dual breeding strategy to strengthen both migratory and stationary sheep populations estimated at around 6.4 lakh in the State.

“This project aims to build a sustainable, resilient and remunerative small ruminant sector in Himachal Pradesh, securing pastoral livelihoods, strengthening the rural economy and preserving the fragile ecological balance of the State’s high-altitude regions, in the true spirit of Vyavastha Parivartan,” he said.