Vir Singh
The United Nations General Assembly has decided to commemorate the year 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the International Year of Woman Farmer, and the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. In this way, UNO sets a broad agenda to be executed during 2026. The focus of commemoration of the year is on the neglected aspects of planetary life. Pastures, herders, women farmers and volunteers are all the marginalised aspects of the contemporary world, although they all play a very crucial role in socio-economic, cultural and ecological development worldwide. Their vital contributions to various socioeconomic sectors and in the management of neglected natural resources are grossly ignored. Global policies, plans, projects, and programmes hardly include them as parts of the planned strategies. Throwing light on the neglected natural components and actors of development, the United Nations Organization has really done a commendable job.
The rangelands cover about half of the Earth’s landmass. In the mountainous regions of the world, pastures are widespread at about 70 per cent. These unique ecosystems, nestled in isolated forests, grasslands, savannas, wetlands, tundra and deserts, are home to unique biodiversity. These ecosystems are the basis of livelihood of millions of cattle herders. Their amazing biodiversity includes many rare, endangered and endangered species of plants and animals that are protected as long as these ecosystems are protected.
Pastoralists dependent on pastures contribute to food security for millions of people around the world. Living in about 150 countries and managing at least one-quarter of the world’s land, they raise about one billion livestock worldwide on grazing resources. In mountainous areas, the communities and all their agricultural activities are mainly dependent on livestock. The dynamic lifestyle of pastoralists protects their distinctive ecological landscapes and unique natural resources, keeps local and indigenous community knowledge alive and preserves cultural heritage. In the International Year of Rangeland and Pastoralists, the United Nations calls for greater recognition, appropriate investment and adapted policies. It emphasises the need to ensure access to land and natural resources for pastoral communities, support their mobility and strengthen pasture management, restoration, animal services and appropriate value chains. By encouraging inclusive dialogue and cooperation, this year aims to improve the livelihoods of livestock farmers and advance sustainable grassland management and Sustainable Development Goals.
The role of women farmers in the world’s agricultural production has seldom been made a topic of discussion by male-dominated societies. From sowing seeds in fields to making bread and from knowledge of all agricultural activities to innovation, women play a central role in agrifood systems. In many tribal and hilly areas, all agricultural activities are conducted with the labor of women. The role of men is almost negligible here. The majority of women can be seen in the roles of small and marginal farmers, seasonal workers, fishermen, cattle herders, beekeepers, foresters, processors, traders, scientists, traditional knowledge holders and rural entrepreneurs. These also include young and old women, indigenous women, women from local communities, women with disabilities, and refugee and displaced women. Their important contribution is to ensure food and nutritional security and to keep social, economic and cultural concerns and values intact. Yet, ironically, they often do not get the recognition they should. The objective of the International Year of Woman Farmer is to recognise the important role of women in agriculture, promote their empowerment and contribute to food security. Women farmers face many challenges including limited access to resources, land ownership, and decision-making opportunities. This year aims to address these inequalities and promote policies that support women’s participation in the agricultural sector. The International Year of Women Farmers, whose global launch took place at the Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters, will promote action to reduce the gender gap, improve access to resources and services, and support women’s leadership in agrifood systems.
There is a beautiful volunteer hidden inside the one who is ready to go to any level for his/ her contribution to the welfare of the world. There is no dearth of volunteers in human societies everywhere. Millions of volunteers per day work by counseling people, supporting health systems, strengthening environmental protection processes, or providing relief in emergencies, and are always ready for social well-being. Volunteering gives a precise direction to progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development will celebrate the unique contributions of volunteers and encourage more people to volunteer. The year 2026 invites dialogue, cooperation, and national and regional compliance by member states, civil society, the private sector, and academia. This is an opportunity to highlight how volunteering connects people, advances local solutions and creates lasting impact.
India’s Himalayan region, especially the State of Uttarakhand, is exceptionally rich in rangelands, pastoralists, women farmers, and volunteers—the constituents and actors of sustainable socioeconomic, ecological, and cultural development as adopted by UNO to resolve the year 2026. Central and State governments need to evolve a framework for taking up specific initiatives vital for holistic development at national level, and especially in the ecologically sensitive and geologically fragile Himalayan mountains. Humanity deeply wishes for a future full of hope, happiness and promises. The future emanates from the womb of the present times. Laden with renewed hope and great promises, the global agenda of the year offers us a future of our dreams. Should we do everything necessary to make the year proudly successful as per the UNOs agenda, the year 2026 would emerge as an architect of the future we wish to usher in.
(The author is a former professor of environmental science, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. Views expressed are personal)
