Access to grazing areas is largely premised on a permit system. Although some permit holders no longer herd livestock themselves, they retain control over access and may rent grazing rights to herders without permits. These arrangements create an additional layer of dependency for pastoralists seeking access to seasonal pastures.
Restrictions within protected areas can further limit this access. The notification restricting herder entry into the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) illustrates how conservation regulations can reshape established migration routes. Routes previously used to access grazing areas within the park are no longer accessible, and herders have since adapted their movements, shifting to alternative routes and grazing areas outside the park boundary.