How did the shrinking pastures affect the cattle of the pastoralists?
The shrinking pastures affected the cattle of the pastoralists because :
- As pasture lands disappeared under the plough, the existing animal stock had to feed on whatever grazing land remained. This led to intensive grazing of these pastures.
- Usually, nomadic pastoralists grazed their animals in one area and moved to another area.
- This in turn created further shortage of forage for animals and the deteriorations of animal stock.
- These pastoralists allowed time for the natural restoration of vegetation growth. When restrictions were imposed on pastoral movements, grazing lands came to be continuously used and the quality of pastures declined.
- Underfed cattle died in large numbers during food scarcities and famines.