KL Report
JAMMU
Due to un-seasonal snowfall and heavy rain in upper reaches of north-western Himalaya around two lakh to three lakh nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals including women and children along-with lakhs of livestock who are presently under bi-annual seasonal migration towards upper reaches are facing high risk to their lives in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Thousand of Gujjars –Bakerwals Deera’s are stranded in at different points in the mountain ranges of Pir Panjal, Shivalik, Trikuta and Zojila in Himalaya,” reads a press statement issued by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation.
Dr Javaid Rahi Secretary, Tribal Foundation said that the nomadic Gujjars, Bakerwals, who started migration in April this year now reached on high altitude areas and due to dip in normal temperature in many parts of the state they are facing tremendous problems.
“Our organisation has received reports form tribal that a number of nomadic families are stranded near Pir Panchal, Doda, Islamabad, Kulgam , Zojiala pass Jamia Gali, Pir Ki Marg, Chhapran, Upper Banihal, Wadwan, Trichhal, Mughal Road, Gurez Macheil sector and facing lots of hardships due to heavy snowfall and rainstorm continuously for the past few days.”
Rahi urged the authorities to conduct an Arial survey of the area and provide them food , medicines , blankets and fodder for their animals.
What they require is not these petty material things; they are centuries old traditional people accustomed to such physical (and mental) life; they’re fit. What they may require is some shelter houses, sheds, etc. en route for themselves as also ruminants. Food etc. they manage. They need medical facilities and a bit of certainty and organization in their mobile (not = nomadic) life. Let us not pity these brave souls. At certain distances on route govt. should provide them fee/cost based shelter/sheds. That’s all.