In Himachal Pradesh, shepherds get access to mountains

MANALI: With the government allowing free movement of shepherds during the lockdown, high-altitude pastures of Himachal are again abuzz with herds of sheep and goats. They will stay here for the next five months.


Shepherds, whose arrival to pastures has been delayed, are moving day and night. With negligible traffic, shepherds are making good time without fear of accidents or verbal abuse.

“This is the first time that there is no one to around to abuse us. Otherwise, shepherds are the main victims of road rage in Himachal,” said Man Singh, a shepherd, who along with his companions from Pandoh area of Himachal, is moving towards the high hills. “I have not seen such empty roads for a long time. The movement of flocks used to cause long traffic jams. Both public and police used to scold us.

Sometimes, we were not allowed to move in the day time during peak traffic. This year, no one is abusing us and the roads are free of traffic,” he said.