The Hindu : National : Snow spells trouble for tribals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

National

National

Snow spells trouble for tribals

By Staff Reporter

JAMMU, MAY 1. The unprecedented snow in the Pir Panchal mountains of Jammu and Kashmir this year has brought trouble to the tribals such as the Gujjars and the Bakerwals. They, along with their cattle, are now on the upper reaches, popularly called Dhoks (temporary shelters), situated between 7,000 and 9,000 feet above the sea level.

The movement of the tribals from Rajouri, Poonch and Udhampur districts of Jammu to the upper reaches begins in the first week of April and they remain there till the end of the summer. The journey takes nearly a month and most of them are in search of temporary shelters. The snow in these areas has stopped them. The supply lines of ration and medicines have been cut off and the livestock are affected.

Several tribal societies, including the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation have appealed to the State Government to take rescue measures. They have sought air dropping of ration, medicine and blankets.

The organisations have identified Wadwan, old Mughal road, Zojila, upper Banihal and Pir kil Marg as areas where the tribals have been stranded.

The situation near the India-Pakistan border is also bad, as heavy rainfall has affected the bumper wheat crop.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National