LAUDABLE STEP
It is for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that government has come up for providing succor to the nomadic Gujjar and Bakerwal communities by arranging transportation facilities to ferry these families along with their livestock from the higher reaches to plains in Jammu region using fleets of scores of trucks and other vehicles. It is pertinent to mention that these nomadic tribes in J&K used to migrate twice a year–first before the onset of summer season to hilly terrains having green pastures, which act as large grazing grounds for the cattle of the community, which mostly depends on bovine animals for their livelihood, though Bakerwals are more concerned about sheep and goats. The second time in the year is the onset of winter season, when the men and women of these tribes steer their herds towards plains of Jammu as the green pastures on higher reaches turn dry and there is dearth of fodder for animals. This tradition is ages old and hardly there was any instance when these tribes were given such a facility to carry their belongings and livestock using government edifice as is the case this season. As the announcement in this regard was made, the Chief Secretary has reportedly reviewed the preparedness for transportation facilities to be provided to nomadic tribal families on return from highland pastures to villages. In this regard, a hassle-free movement of migratory tribal families with all required facilities and smooth management of traffic have been ensured by the administration, which is a laudable endeavour. In this context, the government has deployed 50 trucks and 100 Light Commercial Vehicles for smooth movement. The transport facility has commenced free of cost and shall continue upto October 25, 2022. The concerned officials have ensured that there should be no confusion in picking up the Gujjar and Bakerwal families and the journey of these nomads remain free from trouble. This step by the government will not only provide succor to the nomadic community by culminating their voyage in one or two days as earlier they have to spend over a month on roads to reach their destinations in plains. Besides, such a lifting of herds from the highways both Jammu-Srinagar and the Mughal Road will help in ensuring smooth traffic as the fruit laden trucks need clear passage to reach their destinations without any hindrances on roads.