SRINAGAR: In a significant ruling, the District Court of Budgam came to the rescue of numerous grazers hailing from Branwar and nearby villages in Budgam. The court issued a restraining order against an influential family that had allegedly taken control of more than 4000 kanals of grazing land, known as Chaskani Naad, in the Doodh Ganga forest range of Pir Panjal forest division.
The pastureland, situated at a staggering altitude of 4000 meters, has been a vital grazing area for the Gujjar community of Branwar, Jabbad, Neegu, and other villages in the region, who primarily rely on it for their livestock, particularly sheep during the summer months. However, they had been denied access to the pastureland by the Chowdhary family from Branwar Chadoora, who allegedly used their influence to control and exploit the land for their benefit.
The court’s decision was announced by Additional District Judge Budgam, Aijaz Ahmad Khan, who found a prima facie case supporting the grazers’ claim. The judge highlighted that the balance of convenience favoured the applicants , and failure to grant the order would lead to irreparable losses for them.
According to the villagers, the Chowdhary family had been in control of the vast pastureland for many years, extracting payments from grazers, particularly from the Bakerwal families of Rajouri and Poonch, in exchange for allowing them to graze their animals in the meadows. This practice had become an illicit trade for the family, causing immense hardship for the local communities.
The court’s decision marks a significant step towards protecting the rights of the grazers and preserving the ecological balance in the region. As the case progresses, the hope is that justice will prevail, and the pastoral communities will regain access to the vital pastureland that has been a part of their heritage for generations.
