The nomadic families, who spend their summer season in the upper reaches of the hills and winter season in plain areas, are facing challenges due to these sudden cold conditions.

A fresh snowfall of about four to five inches has been reported in the upper reaches of Pir Panjal region particularly in Budhal of Rajouri, Chassana of Reasi and Surankote of Poonch. The snowfall has affected the nomadic Gujjar, Bakarwal, and Pahari tribe families.

The sudden change in weather has disrupted the movement and routine activities of these nomads, who migrate seasonally with their domesticated livestock. The nomadic families, who spend their summer season in the upper reaches of the hills and winter season in plain areas, are facing challenges due to these sudden cold conditions.

The nomad families go on this seasonal migration because of the temperature requirements of their domesticated animals who need an optimum temperature . The nomad families go in upper reaches of hill during summer where temperature remains low. They migrate to plain low lying areas where the temperature remains on bit upper side during winters as compared to the minus degree temperature of upper areas in hills.

The members of nomad community including Mohammad Shafiq Bakerwal said that the snowfall has led to a drop in temperature, posing a threat to the livelihood of these families, whose domesticated animals are their sole source of income.

He alongwith other nomads have expressed concerns that if the weather worsens or fresh snowfall continues, it could lead to the death of livestock, directly impacting the survivability of nomad families.

The families are struggling to cope with the harsh weather conditions, and there is an urgent need for support and assistance to help them overcome this crisis, Tribal Activist Anis Ahmed said. As per a routine estimate, more than 1,000 livestock of nomad families have perished in various areas during last one week putting a severe financial burden on families from nomad community.

On Friday, hundreds of goats and sheeps of a nomad family from Kalakote Rajouri perished after their cattle shed collapsed at Arang Dhok in Chassana while hundreds of goats and sheeps of various nomad families had perish three days ago at upper reaches of Budhal.

Source - https://www.greaterkashmir.com