Tamil Nadu Federation of Pastoral Peoples Sangams
Protecting pastoral rights, rangelands, and the indigenous way of life of Tamil Nadu's herding communities for a sustainable, climate-resilient future.
Protecting pastoral rights, rangelands, and the indigenous way of life of Tamil Nadu's herding communities for a sustainable, climate-resilient future.
A global year of action to recognise, celebrate and protect rangelands and the pastoralists who have sustained them for thousands of years. TFPPS is proud to be part of this movement.
Explore IYRP 2026 ActivitiesA state-level federation representing communities whose traditional way of life and primary livelihood are based on pastoralism and livestock herding — committed to protecting their rights, livelihoods, traditional knowledge, cultural heritage and common grazing lands across Tamil Nadu.
Pastoralists are those whose livestock move outside their village for at least a month annually, and who depend on common resources such as village commons, pastures and water bodies. Despite challenges of shrinking commons, encroachments and urbanization, pastoralism improves soil health through livestock penning, reduces weeds in paddy fields, and converts waste grains into valuable products through duck rearing.
Our Mission: A Tamil Nadu where pastoralists, rangelands and indigenous livestock thrive together — securing pastoral rights, protecting commons, conserving breeds, and strengthening livelihoods through advocacy, research, training and cultural celebration.
State President, TFPPS | Editor, Kidai Magazine
Advisor, TFPPS
Advisor, TFPPS
A growing network of district and taluk-level pastoral sangams across Tamil Nadu.
The guardians of Mullai Thinai — Tamil Nadu's ancient pastoral landscape culture.
For over 5,000 years, the Mullai landscape has nurtured herding communities who live in harmony with grasslands, forests, livestock and wildlife. This is a living ecological philosophy of coexistence.
Semi-nomadic shepherds of southern Tamil Nadu who migrate seasonally with their flocks across the grasslands of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, practicing sustainable grazing that enriches the land.
Communities rearing Pulikulam, Bargur and other indigenous breeds — animals that embody climate resilience, disease resistance and the deep cultural identity of Tamil pastoralism.
Pastoralists hold generations of ecological knowledge: reading seasons and weather, herbal veterinary medicine, sustainable grazing rotation, and landscape management. This knowledge is vital for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.
From Kidaikattuthal (night penning) that restores soil fertility naturally, to seasonal transhumance along age-old migration routes, these practices have sustained Tamil Nadu's green economy and food systems for millennia.
From rights to rangelands — our key activities and campaigns across Tamil Nadu.
Protection, restoration and sustainable management of common grazing lands and grasslands across the state.
Advocacy for grazing rights, pastoral mobility, common grazing lands and supportive public policies, including access under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
Conservation and promotion of indigenous livestock breeds and traditional pastoral production systems, including access to water from public water bodies along drover's paths.
Formation and strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and community-based institutions to enhance the pastoral economy and market access.
Protection, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, traditions, customary practices and indigenous knowledge of pastoral communities, supporting traditions like Jallikattu, Rekhla and Kida Muttu.
Promotion of pastoral tourism initiatives to enhance public understanding of pastoral lands, their ecological importance, traditional knowledge systems and cultural practices.
Capacity building and leadership development for pastoral youth, women and community institutions, and ethnoveterinary training for young and women pastoralists.
Documentation, research and dissemination of traditional pastoral knowledge, and support for compensation to pastoral accident victims including those struck by lightning.
To fulfil its mandate and objectives, TFPPS networks with several institutions and agencies.
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai
Foundation for Ecological Security, Anand
Transdisciplinary University, Bengaluru
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
New Delhi
Uttarakhand
Chennai
Sustainable Agriculture & Environment Voluntary Action, Madurai
Celebrating pastoral culture and building awareness across Tamil Nadu.
Two-day celebration at Pulikulam Cattle Research Station, Manamadurai, jointly with TANUVAS and Uzhavan Foundation — featuring expert lectures, awards, cultural ceremonies and community feast.
Immersive programme on Theni hill livestock systems, Aayar community culture, traditional knowledge and grazing landscapes.
Community-led pastoral rights dialogues at actual penning sites, bringing together pastoralists, farmers and nature-dependent communities.
One-day training at Kalkulam Village, Sivagangai, with KIDAI FPO — covering grazing management, livestock health, breeding, government schemes and insurance.
Petition submitted to Hon. Tribal Welfare Minister seeking implementation of FRA 2006 grazing rights and protection from eviction.
Statewide effort to document traditional grazing routes and constraints, in collaboration with pastoral sangams and researchers.
TFPPS calls for a dedicated board to support livestock insurance, loans, market access and grazing land protection for 20 lakh pastoral families.
Our magazines, reports, research and resources for pastoral communities and the public.
Monthly Tamil journal on the pastoral economy and culture — the voice of Tamil Nadu's pastoral communities.
Read Latest IssueStudies on pastoralism, rangeland ecology, common land protection and indigenous livestock breeds.
Download ReportsInformative brochures on pastoral rights, the Forest Rights Act, rangeland protection and our programmes.
View BrochuresResources including the Tamil translation of the Forest Rights Act 2006, handbooks and pastoral mapping documents.
All DownloadsGlimpses of pastoral life, festivals and landscapes across Tamil Nadu.
Watch our stories — from festivals to training and field journeys.
Moments from the annual celebration of pastoral heritage.
Discover pastoral communities, rangelands and migration routes across Tamil Nadu.
Interactive map coming soon — exploring communities across Sivagangai, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar and more.
Get in touch with TFPPS — we'd love to hear from you.