Socio-environmental Hurdles and Difficulties in the Seasonal Migration of Bakarwal: A Case study of Mahore Region of Reasi District of J&K

Abstract

Tribes are the important section of our society. Unique culture, traditions, and pastoral lifestyle are the identities of these ethnic communities. At present, there are 12 identified tribes in Jammu and Kashmir. Among these, Gujjar, Bakarwal, Gaddi, and Sippi are common and quite outnumber as compared to other tribes in the J&K. The bakarwal are nomadic shepherds and they deals with domestication and rearing of goats and sheeps in large number mainly and also horses in small numbers for transportation and carriage of their belongings during migration. The name Bakarwal is derived from bakri (goat) which they rear. Their seasonal migration takes place twice in a year .The present paper deals with study of hurdles which they face during their migration from plain to hills in summer and vice versa in winter. Questionnaire based survey conducted to know about the various obstacles which they face during their seasonal migration and both primary and secondary data used in present paper. Information technology has made tremendous change in the life style of people and has ease their life but still life of these nomadic people is hard and full of struggles. These up and down migrations are full of hurdles for bakkarwal tribes of Mahore region of Reasi district. Rain, snow, rough terrain, attack by the wild animals on the livestock, landslide, lack of roads, lack of electricity and many more with which they struggle during these journeys.