How did restrictions on pasture lands affect the animal stock?

The Forest Act changed the lives of pastoralists to a great extent.

The pastoralists were now prevented from entering many forests that provided valuable forage for their cattle in earlier times. Even in the areas they were allowed entry, their movements were regulated. They needed a permit for entry. The timing of their entry and departure was specified, and the number of days they could spend in the forest was limited. Grazing Tax was imposed in most pastoral tracts of India. The number of cattle and the amount of tax were entered on the pass.

The grazing lands came to be continuously used and the quality of pastures declined as a result of imposing restrictions on the pastoral movements.

Thus, the over restriction of their movement created a shortage of forage for animals and the deterioration of animal stock. Underfed cattle died in large numbers during scarcities and famines.