BHADERWAH, APR 21: Amid unseasonal snowfall, hundreds of Gujjar and Bakerwal families have begun their traditional biannual migration to the highland pastures of Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab Valley, braving harsh weather and difficult terrain.
The nomads, along with their livestock, started moving last week through Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts toward the upper reaches of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban. Official figures show that 250 nomadic families crossed the snow-bound Chattergalla pass in the past 10 days.
The migration, which can take nearly a month to complete, remains vital to the communities’ livelihood, as they depend on summer grazing grounds for their sheep, goats and horses.
Elderly members of the community said the journey has become increasingly perilous due to snowstorms, food shortages and losses of livestock. They also said government support remains limited despite the hardships they face every year.
Officials in Bhaderwah said a team has been deployed to ensure the nomads face no hostility while crossing forest areas, urging locals to treat them as guests and recognizing their centuries-old bond with the forests.
