Land And People of The Himalaya -Professor Subodh Chandra Bose

Anwals are semi-nomads by profession. Any hillman of the region, who engages himself in the work of herding in high pastures becomes an Anwal. He is paid for his work in kind. The Anwal who has
few sheep or cattle of his own is rare to find. The Pradhan of the village arranges the whole affair. At the advent of summer owners of animals and Anwals go to him, when he distributes the animals among the Anwals offering to do the work. He charges a small fee for it. He also
arranges the price for the work, which consists of some wheat flour, ghee, gur, salt etc. The Anwal then takes his flock up in the high pastures called Bugyals. The pastures are also divided among various Anwals, the boundaries being marked by streams. The Anwal is not
responsible for the loss of a sheep, if it is killed by a leopard or a bear. But he must produce a part of the body of the animal killed, say a hoof, and give it to the owner.
The Anwals build stone huts at great heights for shelter.Like many other Himalayan semi-nomads, they keep sheep dogs to help them.This system of Anwals is very well arranged and conti-
nues even today. But some changes have occurred. A landlord of Loharkhet has engaged a family of Anwals to work for him permanently. He gives them board lodging and some wages.