The Gujjars and Bakerwal leaders of Jammu and Kashmir today demanded for better food security to the nomadic communities, in the wake of "extreme adversities" faced by them due to their migratory way of life and lack of economic freedom.
"We demand food security for the nomadic communities in Jammu and Kashmir," Secretary of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF) Javaid Rahi said at a programme here.
Pleading help from national and state bodies against absolute poverty among the tribes, Rahi said, "The nomadic Gujjars deserve special attention as they were faced with extreme adversities due to their tough lifestyle, lack of economic freedom and food security, owing to low income and lack of resources."
A sustainable poverty eradication programme should be formulated for migratory communities of the state, he said, adding the nomadic groups were facing the brunt of absolute poverty.
"For the past few decades, the tribal economy of Jammu and Kashmir faced major shakeups due to militancy in upper reaches, rapid development in plain areas and impact of globalisation on their livelihood," Rahi said.
The official called for a sustainable approach of the Centre and state governments towards "boosting the tribal economy" which is on the "verge of collapse".
The nomadic groups, mainly Gujjars-Bakerwals, lack the ability to afford basic human needs such as clean and fresh water, nutrition, healthcare, education, clothing and shelter.
The foundation also pleaded for an exclusive national plan to eliminate illiteracy among the nomad Gujjars, Dhodhi and Bakerwals.
Another speaker Ghulam Sarwar Chouhan stated that a big percentage of the total population of nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals was also facing economic instability.
"Equitable growth cannot be achieved without eradicating poverty and guaranteeing of food security to the marginalised and isolated sections of our society, mainly the Gujjars who constitute 20 per cent of the total population of the state and more than 85 per cent of Jammu and Kashmir's total tribal population," he said.
