Amid reports of rise in speared of COVID-19 cases  in Jammu and Kashmir, the Gujjar Bakerwal pastoralists tribes have started downward biannual migration to plains of Jammu and Punjab along with their livestock from mountainous tracks of north-western Himalayas. In April this year they migrated to upper reach in April to upper reaches. The community members  made an appeal to Govt to help them to complete their migration as per past practices.

In order to discuss the issues related to sessional tribal migration Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation -a community supported organisation -hold a meeting of tribal representative. The meeting was presided over by noted tribal researcher  Dr. Javaid Rahi to chalk out a programme to help nomads to carry forward their migration smoothly.

In his presidential address Dr Javaid Rahi stated “This year, the Gujjars and Bakerwals had to return from Shivalik, Pir Panjal and Zojela mountains ranges of Western Himalayas to plain areas a few days earlier in view of  some restrictions imposed in view of speared of COVID 19 in Jammu and Kashmir.

He appealed Govt to facilitate their migration freely and urged to issue a direction to District Magistrates to  help nomads to carry forward their downward journey towards plains more smoothly . He advised the migrating  tribal population to follow social distancing and avoid all type of religious, cultural and social congregations and rituals to avert the spread of Coronavirus.

on Sunday he  advised the migrating  tribal population to follow social distancing,  and avoid all type of cultural and social congregations and rituals performances  to avert the spread of Coronavirus.

He said , though tribal migration to Jammu , Punjab and Himachal Pradesh is an annual feature, but this time the  nomadic community  started returning to warmer areas of the UT  in the plains earlier in view COVID-19  and all Govt and NGOs should help them to conduct migration smoothly.

“We have shared some mobile number with tribal elders , to provide help to nomads and their livestock for smooth migration , Dr Rahi added.

Usually takes 40 to 50 days for a tribal family to migrate from hilly areas to a warmer area along with their livestock, it informed.

It further said in the meeting that separate  letters have been sent to Govt functionaries regarding tribal migration.

Those who spoke includes Ishtiaq Ahmad Misbah, Freed  Choudhary ,Zulkar Chowdhary, Sadaqat Ali, Mohammad Did, Ali Choudhary others.