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JAMMU NOV. 4: The Gujjars and Bakerwals   of Jammu and Kashmir today urged the government to  formulate a compact programme to eradicate poverty among nomadic tribes. They sought inclusion of all the  migratory people  in Blow Poverty Line population and demanded to provide food security to them .

The community elders while participating in a programme organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation- pleaded  that to migratory tribes are facing tremendous problems and deserves special attention of state authorities.

The Programme was presided over by reputed Tribal Scholar Dr. Javaid Rahi while a number of community members participated in the programme.

Dr. Javaid Rahi in his presidential address said that the Gujjars-Bakerwals being nomads are not properly  aware of the schemes  launched by State and Centre governments to uplift them socially, economically ,educationally and Culturally under Schedule Tribe category. The Gujjars-Bakerwals were listed in constitution of India in 1991 , he said. He said that poverty is growing rapidly in nomadic tribes as they are relinquishing their nomadic life and opting for unskilled labours and poverty eradication programme are required for them immadaitly.

The speakers said Gujjars -Bakerwals being nomads did not approached  any  government agency to include them in BPL list   during the survey as they were under seasonal migration whenever the last BPL survey was held in the state. They  also pleaded for  a provision under  NFSA on the prototype of United Nation’s World Food Programme run  to combat malnutrition among sedentary and non sedentary groups to invest in human resources.

The speakers said Lakhs of nomadic tribes mainly Gujjars- Bakerwal ,Gadii, Sippi  and Changpa migrats annually along with their cattle to upper reached since centuries . They are not available at one place like other communities to take ration and other benefits. He said  an innovative scheme for nomads  before implementing the Act.

Due to their wandering way of life and tribes are  not only  food insecurity but they face  acute shortage of basic facilities, absolute illiteracy and lack of health facilities, the speakers said.

will get benefits of it if the Act is designed  keeping in view their lifestyle too.

The nomadic groups , mainly Gujjars-Bakerwals in addition to food insecurity,   facing  the lack of basic human needs such as clean and fresh water, nutrition, healthcare, education, clothing and shelter, because of their inability to afford them, speakers   said.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Ishtiaq Ahmed, Ghulam  Rasool , Din Mohammad  Chokar , Aleem ud Din Chowdhary,Dr. Irshad Ahmed, Nazir Ahmad Khatana, Warast Ali and others