An organization working for the upliftment of the tribal population in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday appealed to the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities to suspend their bi-annual, seasonal migration till the end of ongoing lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
As per thecenturies-old tradition, the nomadic tribal population start the seasonalmigration in the first week of April every year, undertaking 40 to 45 days oftravel to reach their destinations in upper reaches in search of greenerpastures.
“The tribal population is urged to delay their seasonalmigration at least up to April 14 in view of the lockdown imposed by thegovernment and stay home for their safety and security,” founder of TribalResearch Cultural Foundation (TRCF) Javaid Rahi said in a statement here.
In a letter to Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu, the TRCFsought a comprehensive plan in consultation with the local tribal elders toaddress the tribal migration issue.
“The temperature is onrise in the plains of Jammu region and the nomadic Gujjar, Bakerwal, Gaddi andSippi tribes, as per their tradition, are set to start their seasonal migrationwith their herds of buffaloes, cows, horses, goats and sheep towards the upperreaches of the Shivalik, Pirpanjal and Trikuta mountains in greater Himalayas.