Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: Due to scorching heat in plains and with rise in temperature, the nomads who are solely dependent for their livelihood on cattle herds, sheep and goats have started moving to higher reaches in Kashmir and hilly areas of Kishtwar and Doda districts in search of pastures for their livestock.
Starting their journey from different areas of Jammu plains, the nomads are on way with their livestock to hilly areas in search of green pastures. Though previously the nomads were going to hilly areas by the ending April and May months this year due to scorching heat from March, they have started moving to higher reaches with their livestock much earlier before the schedule.
As the scorching heat has started, the large number of nomads from Kathua plains have too started their march towards hilly areas of Bani-Doda Valley with their cattle, sheep and goats. The nomads including the Bakerwal and Gaddi families move to green pastures of Bani ,Doda ,Madwa Dachan and Wadwan Valley and even Kashmir. But they are facing hardships on the way to higher reaches as it takes lot of time to reach to their destinations in far-flung areas. A Tribal family on way to hilly pastures with more than 250 flocks moving from Basholi area with their family members had taken refuge in a forest area. A shepherd, Gulam Hassan said that they face number of problems on way in long journey of two to three months with family ,children and the livestock. There is no arrangement on way for them to take shelter during the emergency. Most of time the flocks including the sheep and goats fell ill or met with an accident on the road . They have no arrangement of any doctor of Animal Husbandry in such emergency time. The Animal Husbandry has clinic on very selected places within a long distance of 40 to 50 km which were seen closed during night hours. If the Government sets up mobile clinic at the time of migration, they may save the lives of cattle, sheep etc. He has also asked the Government to make arrangements of trucks for their migration to save time and lives of flocks as sheep rearing also falls under Agriculture and allied departments. If Government can give subsidy to Agriculture production equipment why not on Sheep rearing profession, he added.
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