SRINAGAR: In a significant achievement the Government of Jammu and Kashmir under its initiative for supporting biannual migration (transhumance) of tribal communities provided transport service to 12,497 families and transported 1,56,215 livestock.
The scheme initiated by the Tribal Affairs Department in 2021 is being implemented through District Administrations under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners and a transport fleet provided by the J&K Road Transport Corporation. More than 12,000 families and around 70,000 people benefited under the initiative this year which is the highest since the launch of the initiative.
These include 86,192 from Anantnag, 22,221 from Ramban, 12,714 from Kulgam, 10,223 from Pulwama, 9758 from Ganderbal, 6897 from Shopian, 3593 from Srinagar, 17,48 from Budgam, 1717 from Bandipora and 1152 from Baramulla. The arrangements at the district level were supervised by the respective Deputy Commissioners.
The concept of transport service was introduced after the 1st International Conference on Transhumance held in Albania in 2021 shared International best practices for sustaining transhumance and supporting the pastoral communities in migration to avoid conflict, mitigate losses and establish institutional mechanisms.
Secretary of Tribal Affairs Department, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary informed that as per the 2021 survey conducted by the department tribal families possess an average livestock of 12.48 and family size is 5.8. This year total livestock numbering 1.56 Lakh was transported along with the families from various districts of Kashmir to Jammu.
An evidence-based approach to public policy has been introduced to acknowledge the rangeland management and environmental conservation services provided by the migratory tribal families based on which transport service is being provided as an incentive.
Dr Choudhary informed that an average each family saves 20 days of transit and taking into account man-days and prevailing wage rates there is a saving of Rs 20,380 per family of 3 adults and an additional saving of transport costs up to Rs 40,000. He said that the notional saving of these families during the current migration season is Rs 25.46 Cr for days saved and Rs 48.72 Cr for transportation and other expenses. These initiatives lead to poverty reduction and also safeguard the livestock against losses related to accidents, exhaustion deaths and climatic conditions.
He added that the United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) to create awareness about the role of pastoralists in sustainability and drive public policies for their inclusion and empowerment. Jammu and Kashmir, over the last two years, have taken substantial steps to promote sustainable transhumance and economic growth of the migratory tribal pastoral families.
Secretary Tribal Affairs appreciated the coordinated role played by the Deputy Commissioners, J&K Road Transport Corporation, Planning Department, Sheep Husbandry Deptt, Traffic Police and other departments to support and facilitate migration of families through National Highway -44 and the Mughal road over more than 10 weeks which also benefited the smooth export of Kashmir’s horticulture produce and traffic management.
