Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: The Gujjar and Bakerwal Scheduled Tribe Communities of Jammu and Kashmir today demanded that the grazing lands must not be converted for any purposes in the State.
They, while attending a programme organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation held here today, on the topic ‘Issues of nomads’ stated that government should come up with a Law, immediately, and restrict conversion of grazing land, including its change of title/ ownership of the land in the state.
“Such conversions are adversely affecting tribal migratory culture and nomadic way of life of STs, who are already passing through tough times in J&K” , they said.
The programme was presided over by noted Gujjar researcher Dr Javaid Rahi while a number of tribal elders, youth and scholars attended the programme.
Dr Rahi in his presidential address said that Gujjars and Bakerwals are main animals rearing communities of the state and lakhs of nomads are solely dependent upon the grazing land.
He said that grazing areas, pastoral land and other community resources belonging to a tribe/village /area or others may not be converted or vested to an agency or agencies for any type of usage.
“Such changes can badly affect centuries old migratory traditions of Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis, Sippis and Chanpas of Ladakh,” he said.
“The grazing land must be used for animal rearing (Ghaa Chirai) only and should strictly be kept for the tribal community’s use,” the speakers said.
They said after implementation of Roshni Act in J&K in last decade – whereby Government vested ownership of land to the occupants – the grazing / free government lands have been occupied by influential people leaving the tribe, landless people aside, which needs a probe.
The speakers urged the State Governments to formulate a plan for eviction of illegal/unauthorized occupants of grazing land meant for community use.
Those who participated in discussion included Ishtiaq Mibah, Mohammad Sharief, Ghulam Ali, Khadam Hussain and Bashier Choudhary.
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