Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation today demanded for the immediate rescue of members of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities who have been stranded on various mountain ranges due to unseasonal snow and rainfall in the state.
“A large number of Gujjars and Bakerwals were stranded on various mountain ranges due to heavy snow and rainfall in the area and we demand that the government must come forward to help those people,” Dr Javaid Rahi, Secretary Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation said.
“They are stranded at Pir Panchal, Shivalik, Trikuta and Zojila mountain ranges besides some other ranges of north western parts of the Himalayas,” he said.
Gujjars, Bakerwals moved to the upper reaches as a part of their seasonal tribal migration, in search for pastures for livestock, during the first week of April, Rahi said.
The communities have also suffered huge losses as large number of their livestock and other domestic animals have perished due to the unseasonal snow and rainfall prevailing in the valley and other adjoining areas, he said.
Rahi said that more than four lakh members of the two communities including women and children along with a large number of livestock were directly affected due to the recent vagaries of the weather.
“They are also facing acute shortage of medicines, food, water, blankets and fodder for their livestock,” he said.
Rahi urged the state government to take urgent steps for restoration of confidence among nomads in the administration through relief and rehabilitation.
PTI
