Why do herders move sheep and goats between high mountain pastures and lower elevations?

In Uttarakhand, herders move sheep and goats between high mountain pastures and lower elevations primarily in search of flourishing grasslands. This practice, known as transhumance, is a seasonal migration strategy necessitated by the region's climate and geography.12

During the warmer months, livestock are led to graze in high-altitude mountain pastures that are otherwise too cold to be utilized for grazing during the rest of the year. As winter approaches and these higher elevations become inhospitable, the herds are transferred to lower elevations to ensure their survival. This cyclical movement allows pastoral communities to maximize the availability of natural vegetation throughout the year, as the animals are moved to altitude belts appropriate to the season.213