SRINAGAR: Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, CPIM leader and MLA from Kulgam, has called for relief measures for people affected by recent off-season snowfall in higher reaches including Margan, Warwan, Gurez, Peer ki Gali, and upper Aharbal. He said the snowfall caused damage to maize crops and livestock, severely impacting residents of these areas.
Tarigami highlighted losses faced by nomadic Gujjar-Bakarwal and Chopan communities, who depend on seasonal migration and traditional pastoral practices for their livelihood. He urged the government to send field teams to assess damage and provide timely relief and compensation to those affected.
He also stressed the need to ease restrictions on the movement of Gujjar-Bakarwal and Chopan herders to upper pastures, calling transhumance a longstanding practice essential to their culture and economy. Tarigami urged authorities to support their grazing rights and avoid imposing unnecessary barriers.
He warned that with changing climate patterns, a sensitive and inclusive approach is needed to protect vulnerable groups and preserve their traditional livelihoods. Tarigami appealed to the administration for urgent action to address the situation.
