International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Decline of Animal Husbandry in Uttarakhand: A Study of Socio-Economic and Policy Determinants

Historically, animal husbandry has been one of the core practices of the mountain economy of Uttarakhand, which supports rural lives based on an integrated mixed farming, cultural, and ecological art. The past few decades have however been characterized by a serious decline of the industry not only economically but also socially. This paper looks at the socio-economic and policy-based factors behind degradation of livestock livelihoods in Uttarakhand. Relying on official data on the 20th Livestock Census (2019) and the Department of Animal Husbandry, Uttarakhand (2025), along with the domain-level analysis, the study discovers a paradox, as, in spite of the marginal increase in the production of milk, meat, and eggs, this sector has negatively affected the contribution to the Gross State Domestic Product, dropping to 2.14 - 2.62% between 2019- 20 and 2024. The most important factors are the outmigration, the change in the labour and gender relations, the profitability decline, the limitation of grazing lands, and insufficient infrastructure, veterinary and market facilities. The sector has been further marginalized by giving priority to the development of tourism and hydropower over animal farming. The paper argues that the fall is more socio-economic and even institutional in nature as opposed to ecological. It deals a blow resolute that animal husbandry in Uttarakhand requires the opinion of a multidimensional policy sculpture encompassing community grazing rights, improved veterinary services, localised dairy cooperatives and livestock solutions stressing the impacts of climate change. These measures may restore animal husbandry as a practical and respectable source of livelihood among the communities living in the mountains and consequently improving on food security and ecological sustainability. Keywords: Uttarakhand, Animal Husbandry, Animal Farming, Rural Livelihoods, Socio-economic Change, Mountain Economy, Sustainable Development, Livestock Economy, Climate Resilient Livelihoods.