Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: A two-day workshop on research methodology for the longitudinal project titled “Socio-Political, Economic, Religious, and Cultural Transformations among the Gaddi and Bakarwal Tribes of Jammu and Kashmir” was inaugurated at the University of Jammu.
The workshop aimed to refine research methodologies and foster interdisciplinary dialogue for conducting a long-term, evidence-based study on tribal communities of the region.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor of JU as the chief guest. The presence of distinguished guests including Dr A K Dubey (former Administrative Member, Central Administrative Tribunal), Shakti Kumar Pathak (Director Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K) and Prasanna Ramaswamy G (Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Government of Jammu and Kashmir) underscored the administrative and policy relevance of the project.
Prof Suman Jamwal, Project Coordinator, introduced the objectives, scope, and significance of the longitudinal study. Dr Harish Chander Dutt, one of the Project Directors of the study, presented a comprehensive overview of the project.
The workshop featured eminent resource persons including Dr Gopal Krishan, a senior environmentalist; Prof Avanindra Nath Thakur and Prof Parmil Kumar, who delivered expert lectures.
Prof Yash Pal Sharma, Dean, Life Sciences, while discussing the cultural aspects of Bakerwal tribe, said that the stay of Bakerwals in the agriculture forms during their migration is always a mutual agreement between the villagers and Bakerwals. Bakerwals get fodder for their animal flocks from the owners’ agriculture field and the owner of the land gets manure in the form of dung of the animals.
Vikramjit Singh, Secretary Industries, Government of UT of Jammu and Kashmir, assured the industrial linkages with both the tribes.
Prof Shyam Narayan, Project Director; Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA, J&K; Brajesh Kumar Jha, President EARTH; Parshotum, Prof (Retd- Brigadier), Neeraj Soni, Dr Sangya Dubey, Prof Manoj Bhatt, Prof Bikham Pal and other project staff members were also present and actively contributed to the deliberations.
The workshop served as a platform for collaboration among academicians, administrators, and practitioners, ensuring that the research outputs would be policy-relevant and socially impactful.
The session concluded with Dr. Bhanu Kumar, Project Director presenting the vote of thanks.
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