Gawade, Rushikesh creator text Economic & Political Weekly monographic eng

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61(21), May 23, 2026: p.67-74 The agrarian changes in Maharashtra reshapes the livelihood of the Dhangar community, a semi-nomadic shepherd caste. This article explores this rural transformation, through the experiences of the community, based on two month field work in a village in Ahmednagar district. Expansion of agriculture, especially after a 1970s canal project, reduced their access to pastureland, leading many to abandon shepherding for marginal farming. Others continue under difficult conditions, relying on private lands for grazing. Limited access to forests and scarce employment opportunities constrain mobility, making their integration into village society uneven and marked by persistent challenges.- Reproduced https://www.epw.in/journal/2026/21/notes/catching.html Economic & Political Weekly 260615