A Community Fact Finding of Jammu and Kashmir, India

SCHOLEDGE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY & ALLIED STUDIES
Vol. 1, Issue 1(October 2014)

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ISSN- (2394-336X)
A COMMUNITY FACT FINDING OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA

Author(s)
Dr. Florentina R. & Ms. Grazia,
Bilbao, Spain.
ABSTRACT
In Jammu and Kashmir the Local tribes migrate in pastures and meadows of upper riches of
Peer-Panjal range along with flock of sheep, goats, Buffaloes and horses in search of food and
fodder where they resides in mud and wooden log huts locally known as Dhokes. In these
Dhokes these tribes live a very tough life along with their cattle under the same roof without
basic facilities. It is in this context, the present paper is an attempt to study the life style of Local
tribes at Dhokes of block Budhal in Rajouri district (J&K) and also to suggest few alternative
strategies to improve their way of life.
KEYWORDS: Dhokes, Gujjars, Bakerwals, Lifestyle
Introduction:
Local Tribes in J&K

Gujjars and Bakerwals is the third largest community in the state of the Jammu and Kashmir
which constitute about 20% of the total population.
In district Rajouri, there are only two scheduled tribes Locals out of 12 tribes of the J&K state.
As per 2011 Census the total population of Local tribes is 232815 which constitute 36.2 percent
of the total population of the district.
In Rajouri district about 12% population is comprised of Bakerwals while 23% population
belongs to Gujjars. Gujjars mostly rear cattle and they are herdsmen of buffaloes and possess
small pieces of lands, kachha houses on the slopes and foothills of mountains in Rajouri district.
They are having their Dhokes on the upper reaches of Rajouri district mostly in Darhal, Budhal,
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Kalakote and Manjakote areas. On the other hand, Bakerwals are the offshoots of Gujjars and
they are nomadic tribes. Most of them are landless and houseless. Their livelihood is mostly
dependent on sheep and goats for which
they have to rear these animals. In search of green pastures for their herds and flocks, they travel
from one place to another with their baggage and luggage, flock of sheep and goats, fleet of
horses and dogs. Initially, they were rearing goats; therefore they are known as Bakerwals (who
rear goats). They are living nomadic life.
In the beginning of Summer season Bakerwal tribes migrates toward their Dhokes in the upper
riches of Peer Panjal range and even cross the Valley and reach Lolab, Gurez and Sona-Marg on
the Eastern top hills of Kashmir.
Methodology:
The study is based on both primary as well as secondary data. For collection of primary data the
researchers interviewed 50 sample households of the Local tribes in different dhokes. The
secondary data has been collected from different journal and reports.
Results and Discussion:

Keeping in view the objectives of the study, the researchers made an insight on lifestyle of
Gujjars and Bakerwals at dhokes and various problems being faced by them.
Life Style of Locals at Dhokes:

The Gujjars and Bakerwals lives a separate life at dhokes totally isolated from the rest of the
area. The Gujjars and Bakerwals of Block Budhal, of the study area, migrates to upper riches of
Peer-Panjal at dhokes namely, Rupri, Bella, Smartsar-marg, Richh-Begla etc. These dhokes are
far away from the inhabited areas. These people have to cover a distance of 30-40 kilometres to
reach in these dhokes. These places are green pastures and meadows where they graze their
cattles.

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These people dont use kerosene oil for cooking instead they use wood as fuel. There is not even
a single plant or tree in these pastures. To get the wood they have to travel long distances for the
procurement of wood. At dhokes they live in Groups to cope with the challenges and threats of
theft and risk from the wild animals. During the spare time they use radio and flute for recreation
and entertainment. The ladies of Gujjars and Bakerwals rear cattle in day time and the men sleep
at that
time and wake during night time to guard their cattle from wild animals and thieves. To solve the
internal disputes they elect a person of their own community known as Mukkaddm. Police and
court also agrees with the Mukkaddm decision.
There is also shortage of food items due to far of location. Along with the pulses and food items
which they took from the village or town at the time of migration, they also eat local panjali
herbs and shrubs due to unavailability of food items. So at dhokes they had to eat local grown
shrubs and herbs and also milk products like cheese, lassi, curd, butter and curry etc.
There is not any medical & veterinary facility at dhokes. At the dhokes these people also use
local medicinal plants for themselves and their animal treatment. Their ladies at dhokes give
birth to the children by natural ways. In this area a person is totally depend on the mercy of God
to overcome from illness. Mostly the patient died on the way to dispensary or hospital.
There is unavailability of educational facilities for children. Mobile Schools it appears only
exists on papers. Children get engaged in rearing of cattles in absence of educational facilities.
Their life style and their living at dhokes is very tough in severe environment conditions. The
climate is severe and harsh as stormy cold wind blow there. There is lack of oxygen also. After
seeing their life style at dhokes one could analyse that these tribes are far from modernisation
and development.
Table1: Dhokes & Sample Households

S.No
Dhokes
Total
Gujjar
Bakerwal
Households

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1
Smartsar-marg
10
Rupri
08
Richh-begla
09
Bella
10
Others
13
Total
50
19 (38%)
31(62%)
Source: Field Survey
Problem
No. Of respondents of different Dhokes
Faced
Smartsar-
(code)
Marg
10
08
05
10
Rupri
Richh-
Bella
Others
Total
02
10
04
34(68%)
04
01
07
06
23(46%)
08
07
10
10
45(90%)
Begla
A look at the table1 shows that out of total sample households of different dhokes 62% are
Bakerwals and 31% are Gujjars. This indicates that the migration is found more in Bakrewal
tribe than the Gujjars.
Problem
No. Of respondents of different Dhokes
Faced
(code)
Smartsar-
Rupri
Marg
Richh-
Bella
Others
Total
Begla
10
08
09
10
10
38 (76%)
10
08
09
10
13
50 (100%)
09
10
10
42 (84%)
11
41 (82%)

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E
10
29 (58%)
08
02
10
13
37 (74%)
Source: Field Survey

(A) :Long distance
(B) :No health facility
(C) :No education facility for children
(D) :Lack of basic facilities
(E) :Wild animal fear

(F) :Lack of Security
From the table 2. It could be analysed that there is no health facility prevailing in any of the
aforesaid dhokes. After lack of health facility, it has been observed that lack of education facility
in the dhokes is second major problem being faced by the population. The other problems being
faced in the surveyed area can be put in the following order viz (1) lack of basic facilities, (2)
long distance,(3) lack of security,(4) wild animal fear.
(A) Nature
(B) Fear of accident
(C) Good quality grass
(D) : Security Forces/Police
(E) : Accommodation
From the above table, it can be interpreted that lack of good quality grass is the major constraint
being faced by the nomads during their transition phase. Since Jammu and Kashmir being a high
sensitive area hence the respective nomads have to face the problems pertaining to checking and
verification and the percentage reads to 76%.these nomadic areas being located in far flung areas
with poor road connectivity is the next constraint being faced. It could be further assessed that
lack of proper and adequate accommodation during the migration is almost nil. Fear of accidents
is also one of the major problems being faced by nomads of the study area, as 46% respondents
have met the accidents during their shifting of places.

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Problems and Constraints:
1) Long Distances: To reach in Dhokes the Local tribes have to travel 20-30 kilometres on
foot. There is no shed or tent facilities on the way for their stay. There is also no medical
and veterinary services and other arrangements on their way. As a result during their
migration from lower areas to upper Dhokes they have to meet so many hazards. During
interaction with the
2) Respondents, researchers came to know that on the way on an average they meet with the
loss of two-three animals.
3) No health facilities: In Dhokes there is not any health coverage. In order to get medical
treatment these nomads have to walk long distances ranging from 15-20 kilometres.
There is no mobile dispensary in these Dhokes. As a result mostly patients died on the
way especially the pregnant women. Thus in Dhokes these people totally depend on the
mercy of God.
4) No educational facilities: There is no denying the fact that Govt. has launched the
scheme of seasonal/mobile schools for the education of the children of Gujjars and
Bakerwals people. But at the ground there is hardly any school working in these Dhokes.
As a result the children of these nomadic people are deprived of the basic education.
5) No veterinary services: In Dhokes there is no visit of veterinary doctors nor any
veterinary camp is organised. As a result their animals become victims of many diseases
and ultimately die.
6) Lack of basic facilities:
There is lack of safe drinking water, electricity,
accommodation, food and other basic facilities in the Dhokes. As a result Local tribes
have to lead a very tough life there.
7) Wild animals fear: The Dhokes of Local tribes are mostly in jungle areas which are
inhabited by wild animals like leopard, wolf and bear. Sometimes these animals attack on
the cattle and nomadic people. Thus these people have also the fear of become the
victims of these wild animals.
8) They live an orthodox life: Gujjars and Bakerwal tribes are the orthodox people. They
live their life in their own way. They dont get easily prepared towards modernization.
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Their traditional old beliefs and customs were found to create hindrance in their
integration and growth.
9) Lack of Security: The Gujjars and Bakerwals also faced suffering due to infiltration of
militancy in dhokes. Dhokes locates at for away in upper riches and is a safe place for the
hiding of miscreants as a result these people get exploited by them. In recent years, some
Gujjars and
10) Bakerwals left their occupation of rearing of goats and sheep because of feeling unsecure
at Dhokes which further added their problem.
11) Not exposed to Govt. Programmes and schemes for their development: The Local
tribes who practice seasonal migration are not much aware about various programmes
and schemes which are launched for their upliftment by the central/state Government.
There lack of awareness is also one of the reasons of their backwardness.
Recommendations and Suggestions:

The Local tribes lead a very tough life in the Dhokes. Their economy is livestock economy. To
earn their livelihood they have to move from one place to another in search of food and fodder
for their animals and for themselves. To make an improvement and upliftment of these
downtrodden people, few recommendations are being made in the following pages:
Educational facilities: There is a need for access to education among the Local
communities. Looking at the living conditions of the nomads, it could be seen that much
need to be done to improve the situation if they are to get educated. Educational
backwardness amongst Gujjars and Bakerwals which is one of the key factors for their
poverty, ignorance and overall backwardness should be addressed on top priority. There
is a need to strengthen the mobile schools so that more and more nomadic children are
able to take its advantage. Though mobile schools are operating in some areas, but still on
a small scale and largely outside the mainstream of education system. Most of these are
mobile on paper. As mobile school provides a flexible model of education that is wellsuited to the nomadic lifestyle, these schools should move with the nomadic population.

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In mobile schools, better teachers having knowledge and sympathy towards nomadic
Gujjars and their culture and dialect should be appointed in these mobile schools so that
schools remain functional throughout the year.
Mobile dispensaries and Veterinary camps: The mobile dispensaries should be opened
in Dhokes so that these people can get the medical facilities. In addition the veterinary&
medical
camps should be organised at Dhokes to check the health status of cattles of these
nomads. Free medicines should be distributed.
Mobile doctors or health centres with compact medical requirements could go a long way in
educating our illiterate Gujjars& Bakerwals for maintaining certain basic conditions for their
health and hygiene.
Security: The security should be provided to these Dhokes so that these nomadic people
feel safe and secure at Dhokes. The security arrangement should be made up to the
period of their shifting back to lower riches in winter. While their passing from the roads
and highways, the traffic movement should be stopped so that they could be saved from
the damage and loss caused by road accidents.
Food and Fodder: The Government should offer food and fodder to Local tribes at
minimum rates from Govt. Stores at nearby Dhokes. So that the problem of shortage of
food and fodder could be minimised.
Lightening Arrangement: It is suggested that since there is not any source of electricity
at Dhokes. The Government should come forward as a goodwill gesture to donate one
solar light lamp to each household. This will go a long way in raising the level of
nationalism.
A comprehensive grazing policy for Gujjars livestock needs to be formulated for the
entire areas of these dhokes. Protection and proper management of the areas by way of
introducing deferred and rotational grazing and fixing the stocking rates.
Conclusion:

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In conclusion, it can be summed up that Local scheduled tribes are still leading a very tough life
in Dhokes. There is no denying the fact that Government has launched various schemes and
programmes for the development of scheduled tribes but still a lot needs to be done. It is in place
to mention here that since these Dhokes are their permanent migratory homes, there is a need to
ponder upon these issues so that these tribes can lead a peaceful life.
References:
1. Bhardwaj, A.N. (1994), History and Culture of Himalayan Gujjars, J. K. Book House,
Jammu
2. Gupta.S.K & Aslam, Mohd (2014). Socio-Economic problems of Local Tribes-A Case
Study of Rajouri district (J&K), VIMARSH-A peer reviewed Journal. Vol. 5 Issue.1
ISSN 0976-5174
3. Khatana, R.P. (1992). Tribal Migration in Himalayan Frontiers- study of Bakerwal
Transhumance economy, Vintage Books. Gurgaon
4. Lidhoo, M.L (1992). Kashmir Tribes, Minakshi Publication, Srinagar,
5. Rao, A. and Casimir, M. J. (1982). Mobile pastoralists of J&K -- a preliminary report on

tribal people, Journal of Nomadic People
6. Suri Kavita, (2014). Teaching the nomads in the wild: An analysis of seasonal
educational schools for nomadic populations in Jammu and Kashmir, Asian Journal of
Multidisciplinary Studies. Vol.2.Issue.3.
7. Suri Kavita, (3014).Challenges in Education of Tribal Children in Poonch district of
Jammu and Kashmir, Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies. Vol.2.Issue.1.
8. Tufail, Mohd (2012), Impact of the Unrest on the Livelihoods of the Gujjars and
Bakkarwals of Jammu and Kashmir, International Journal of Social Science Tomorrow
Vol. 1 No. 4, ISSN: 2277-6168
9. Zutshi, Bhupinder (2001). Gujjars and Bakkarwals of Rajouri District, in K. Warikoo
(ed.),Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir, IGRS, Bhopal.

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Vol. 1, Issue 1(October 2014)