India is one of the over 25 countries where transhumance — the historic socio-economic practice of movement of families along with livestock, mostly vertical migration — is prevalent. And Jammu and Kashmir has India’s highest transhumant population comprising the Scheduled Tribes namely Gujjars, Bakkerwals, Gaddis and Sippis.
In a first-of-its-kind survey of transhumant tribal population in 2021 by the Tribal Affairs Department of Jammu and Kashmir, it was found that 6.12 lakh people migrate every year to highland pastures known as Dhoks.
Four types of migrations are in vogue: Intra-Districts (highest number), inter-district, inter-province (second highest number) and inter-State/UT (to Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab).
It was also found that more than 30,000 families migrate from the Jammu province to Kashmir, mostly undertaking the route of National Highway-44 and Mughal road. A majority of them are from the tribal-dominant districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Against this backdrop, the Tribal Affairs Department mapped and geo-tagged the highland pastures called Dhoks so that it can ensure the tribals don’t miss out on the benefits of the Government’s welfare schemes meant for them during their migratory duration.
The Department also initiated a slew of measures to facilitate the movement of these migratory families.
It takes about three weeks to six weeks, mostly on-foot, for the families to reach the Dhoks. Some families which could afford the migration through transport facilities used to do so through private services, until this year.
The J&K Tribal Welfare Department initiated work on two projects to support the migratory families.
Establishment of Transit Accommodations
Introduction of Transport System to Facilitate Movement
“The survey conducted in 2021 laid the basis of transition as all demographic details were covered. Through a competitive process, agencies have been empanelled for spot visit and generation of Smart Cards on the lines of Aadhar Card. The Smart Card contains the details of family and livestock, origin, transit, destination and other details required for smooth and hassle-free movement and welfare,” Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary to Government, J&K Tribal Affairs Department, said.
Livestock of Migratory Families in Numbers
Choudhary said while his Department has also introduced mobile veterinary healthcare and mobile medical units this year, to be augmented further to cover the entire migratory population, the Tribal Research Institute has engaged more than 40 professionals as Fellows to design various welfare projects for the migratory population in different sectors.
