Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 20: Demanding food security for nomads, the Gujjar Bakerwal of Jammu and Kashmir today said that their tribes deserved special attention of State and Centre since they were facing extreme adversities due to migratory way of life and lack of economic freedom.
In a programme, organised by main organisation of J&K Gujjars- Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation- held here today the community leaders pleaded help from national and state bodies against absolute poverty among nomadic tribes of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion Secretary of Foundation, Dr. Javaid Rahi stated that a sustainable poverty eradication programme be formulated for migratory communities of State. “For past few decades the tribal economy of J&K faced major shakeups due to militancy in upper reaches, rapid development in plane areas and impact of globalisation on their livelihood,” he said and pleaded for a sustainable approach of the Union and State Governments towards boosting of ‘Tribal Economy’ which was at the verge of collapse due to poverty.
The nomadic groups, mainly Gujjars-Bakerwals, face the lack of basic human needs such as clean and fresh water, nutrition, healthcare, education, clothing and shelter, because of their inability to afford them, he added.
The Foundation pleaded for an exclusive National plan to eliminate illiteracy among nomad Gujjars, mainly the Dhodhi and Bakerwals.
Another scholar Ch Ghulam Sarwar Chouhan stated that a big percentage of total population of nomadic Gujjars-Bakerwals was facing economic instability, food insecurity, acute shortage of basic facilities, absolute illiteracy and lack of health facilities.
The speakers impressed upon the Government that there was high time Gujjars and Bakerwal Tribes were categorise under the groups covered in India by the United Nations under World Food Programme aimed at to combat malnutrition and to invest in human resources.
The Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir, a Government document tabled in state Assembly, says that more than 42 per cent population of Scheduled Tribe population, majority of which belongs to Gujjars and Bakerwals, lives under Below Poverty line.
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