Arreau conference highlights hunter and shepherd alliance in Pyrenees

A conference held in Arreau highlighted the historical and functional alliance between hunters and shepherds in the Pyrenees. The event emphasized their shared role in maintaining mountain territories, managing biodiversity, and preserving local heritage.

As 2026 is designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the discussions focused on the importance of pastoralism for food security and territorial resilience. The practice of transhumance, which was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2023, was presented as a vital transmission of cultural knowledge and agricultural skill.

Representatives from the Occitanie Region and the Pyrenees National Park underscored the necessity of these activities for mountain ecosystems. Additionally, the Hunters' Federation of Hautes-Pyrénées highlighted collaborative efforts, such as the Agrifaune program, which works to protect mountain biodiversity through integrated land management.