Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: The Gujjars and Bakerwals of J&K today sought inclusion of a special provision in newly introduced National Food Security Act (NFSA) to benefit the migratory nomads.
The community elders while participating in a programme organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF) stated that special provisions are required to be included in the Act and SRO whereby the ration may reach to migratory tribes as well at their place.
Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary of the Foundation, in his presidential address stated that Government may include a provision in the Act on the prototype of United Nations’ World Food Programme to combat malnutrition among sedentary and non-sedentary groups to invest in human resources.
He said around 6 Lakh nomadic tribes mainly Gujjars- Bakerwal Gaddi and Changpa migrate annually along with their cattle to upper reaches since centuries. “They are not available at one place like other communities to take ration”, said Dr Rahi and hoped that CAPD Minister Ch Zulfkar Ali may draw an innovative scheme for nomads before implementing the Act.
“Due to their wandering way of life these tribes have not only food insecurity but they face acute shortage of basic facilities, absolute illiteracy and lack of health facilities”, the speakers said adding the NFSA, if implemented with new approach, in tribes, it will change their economy in next few years.
They said equitable growth of State cannot be achieved without eradicating poverty by guaranteeing of food security to hitherto marginalized and isolated sections of our society, mainly the nomad Gujjars and added that Gujjar-Bakerwals, who constitute 20 per cent of the total population of the State will get benefits of it if the Act is designed keeping in view their lifestyle too.
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