Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 13: The gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today urged the Government to formulate a compact programme to eradicate poverty among nomadic tribes. They sought inclusion of all the migratory people in Blow Poverty Line (BPL) population and demanded to provide food security to them.
The community elders while participating in a programme organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation pleaded that migratory tribes are facing tremendous problems and deserves special attention of State authorities.
The programme was presided over by reputed Tribal Scholar Dr. Javaid Rahi while a number of community members participated in the programme.
Dr. Javaid Rahi in his presidential address said that the Gujjars-Bakerwals being nomads are not properly aware of the schemes being launched by State and Centre Governments to uplift them socially, economically,educationally and culturally under Schedule Tribe category. The Gujjars-Bakerwals were listed in constitution of India in 1991, he said and added that poverty is growing rapidly in nomadic tribes as they are relinquishing their nomadic life and opting for unskilled labours and poverty eradication programme are required for them immediately.
The speakers said Gujjars-Bakerwals being nomads did not approached any Government agency to include them in BPL list during the survey as they were under seasonal migration whenever the last BPL survey was held in the state. They also pleaded for a provision under NFSA on the prototype of United Nation’s World Food Programme run to combat malnutrition among sedentary and non sedentary groups to invest in human resources.
The speakers said lakhs nomadic tribes mainly Gujjars-Bakerwal, Gadii, Sippi and Changpa migrats annually along with their cattle to upper reached since centuries. They are not available at one place like other communities to take ration and other benefits. He said an innovative scheme is required for nomads before implementing the Act.
The nomadic groups, mainly Gujjars-Bakerwals in addition to food insecurity, facing 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, speakers said.
Others who spoke on the occasion included Ishtiaq Ahmed, Ghulam Rasool, Din Mohammad Chokar, Aleem ud Din Chowdhary,Dr. Irshad Ahmed, Nazir Ahmad Khatana and Warast Ali.
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