Dayara Bugyal and High-Altitude Pastoral Traditions

Dayara Bugyal near Barkot in Uttarkashi district is one of Uttarakhand's most beautiful high-altitude meadows stretching across rolling terrain between 3000 and 3800 metres. Traditional seasonal pastoralism involves Gujjar and Gaddi herding communities moving livestock to these meadows during summer for superior grazing. The bugyal ecosystem supports a unique community of alpine plants including various gentians, primulas, and asters that flower in succession through the short summer season. Traditional ecological knowledge of grazing rotation, meadow management, and weather patterns guides pastoral decisions. Ski slopes developed at Dayara provide winter livelihoods for local youth trained in skiing, creating a bridge between traditional mountain skills and modern recreational economy.