EHA

13 February 2006

Traveling from the mountains of Kashmir in north India to the hot plains of Tamilnadu in South, a group of Gujjars (the hill people of Kashmir), crossed many frontiers to participate in a community workshop for tribals organised by Department of RUHSA (Rural unit for health and social affairs), Christian Medical College Vellore. The Gujjars of Kashmir are a semi-nomadic tribe, mostly herdsmen by occupation. EHA has been working among the Gujjars, residents of Jammu Pathan village on the upper reaches of Baramulla district in Jammu & Kashmir, post October earthquake.

Encouraged by the EHA relief team working in Kashmir, the four member Gujjar team undertook this marathon journey to speak at the community workshop. Their participation in the workshop was made possible by the combined efforts of CMC Vellore, EHA and the Kashmir army. Enroute to Vellore they made a stop in Delhi and visited the EHA office where they were warmly welcomed. EHA relief team member Trinath accompanied them on their travel to Vellore. It was an arduous journey which they undertook with great enthusiasm.

The state of Jammu & Kashmir is home to eleven major tribes, namely Gujjars, Bakarwals, Gara/Garba, Mon, etc. who constitute 10.9% of the total population of the state. Among these, Gujjars and Bakarwals constitute a significant proportion of the population of the State with major concentration in Jammu, Rajouri, Udhampur, Poonch, Uri, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Daksum and Kandi areas of Jammu and Kashmir Divisions.

For centuries, the Gujjar community has retained its unique lifestyle with the main source of livelihood being dairy and animal products. Keeping in mind its tribal character, the Central Government granted it scheduled tribe status in 1991. This was the culmination of decades-long struggle by the community and many activists. Gujjars are a vital community in Jammu and Kashmir.

The vast majorities of Gujjars today are Muslim and are semi-nomadic, herding sheep, goats and buffalo. They migrate from the lowland plains in the winter to the upper reaches of the Himalaya during the summer. Often Gujjar men hire themselves out as porters or pony men for the army and trekking parties. They still live in the traditional mud and log dwellings.