Dhangars Community

Source- This post on Dhangars Community has been created based on the article “Who are the Dhangars of Maharashtra and why are they asking for ‘grazing corridors’ in forests?” published in “Indian Express” on 24th August 2024.

Why in News?

A large group of Dhangars marched to the subdivisional officer’s office in Khamgaon, Buldhana district, Maharashtra. They demanded the establishment of a “grazing corridor” for their sheep and goats.

About Dhangars Community

1. About: The Dhangars are a community known for herding sheep and goats. They follow a nomadic lifestyle, moving along specific routes to graze their animals. They are part of Maharashtra’s Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) list.

2. Where They Live: They are primarily found in Maharashtra. Dhangars also live in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh where they are known by different names like Golla and Kuruba.

3. Population and Economic Dependency: The Dhangars are estimated to be around 1 crore which makes up about 9% of Maharashtra’s population. About 40% of the community relies solely on herding for their livelihood underscoring the importance of their traditional grazing routes.

What Are the Dhangars Demanding?

1. Grazing Corridors: They are asking for “grazing corridors” to be allowed to graze their animals on traditional routes without being seen as illegal encroachers. They argue that their grazing practices benefit the land and do not harm the forests. Their traditional grazing routes are vital for their livelihood and are deeply rooted in their cultural heritage.

2. Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status: The Dhangars want to be classified as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) to receive reserved benefits in education and jobs which they currently do not get under their existing VJNT (Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes) category.

3. Forest Rights: They seek rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 to access traditional grazing lands which currently mainly benefits those with ST status.

UPSC Syllabus: Tribes in news