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The Future of Pastoralism: From hooves to wheels
The Bakerwal tribe, with a long-standing history in the Kashmir Himalayas, has a unique cultural heritage deeply rooted in traditional pastoral practices. The tribe’s way of life is intricately linked to the availability of natural resources particularly water and pasture during different seasons which is crucial to their livelihood and cultural identity, and they follow a distinct cycle of activities each year. As winter arrives, they move their herds to lower elevations in Jammu plains with better temperatures and grazing lands. When spring comes, they migrate towards the high-altitude meadows in the mountains of Kashmir, an event that involves the entire community. It typically takes the herders around 30 to 40 days to travel to the upper reaches of Minamarg, Sonamarg, Gangbal, Dagwan, Gurez, Pahalgam, Kupwara, and other districts with their livestock, which includes sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses. During summer, they live in temporary shelters called “Kothas” and take care of their herds by grazing them. In the fall, they begin their descent back down to lower elevations as the meadows get covered in snow and temperatures drop. During winter, they remain in Jammu plains until the snow melts and the weather warms up in the spring, preparing for the next cycle. The region’s rugged terrain and harsh climate have evolved this traditional way of life and shaped the communities who practice it. The close relationship between pastoralists and their livestock has allowed for a deep understanding of the local ecosystem and the development of unique strategies for resource management. They typically rely on a combination of grazing lands, natural pastures, and agricultural lands to support their herds. This way of life has allowed the pastoralist communities to maintain a sustainable relationship with the natural environment.
In the past, they relied on horses and donkeys to transport their logistics during the long and arduous journey. The use of horses and donkeys for logistics was an essential part of their pastoral migration. They took great care of their animals, ensuring that they were well-fed, healthy, and strong enough to carry heavy loads during the journey. These animals provided the much-needed support for the Bakerwals to carry their belongings, food, and supplies during the migration. They also helped the pastoralists transport sick or injured livestock, which would have been difficult to manage on foot. The Bakerwal community has historically arranged logistics for their migrations themselves, with the government providing travel permits and identity cards after families pay grazing tax. The involvement of the government in their travel may make their lives easier in terms of natural calamities, traffic accidents, and attacks for vested interests. Still, it may also impact their livelihoods and cultural practices in the long run.
As the world continues to modernize, many traditional practices are being replaced with newer, more efficient methods. One of the changes being implemented in pastoralist communities of Kashmir is the use of trucks for livestock transportation. While this may seem like a good idea at first, it’s important to consider the long-term impact it might have on these communities. In the year in 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir administration decided to provide trucks for the transportation of livestock and families of migratory tribal populations from various districts of Jammu province to the “highland pastures” in the Kashmir Valley. Officials of the Tribal Affairs Department said that transportation would reduce the travel time of the migratory tribal population from 20-30 days on foot to one to two days, and it would help in the smooth management of traffic along the Jammu Srinagar national highway. While this may seem like a positive development, it raises concerns about the potential impacts on the pastoral way of life and the government’s involvement in their travel raises questions about the sustainability of this approach, as it may lead to overgrazing and other environmental consequences. The migration patterns of pastoralists are essential for sustainable grazing management, as they allow pastures to recover and reduce the risk of overgrazing. However, the use of trucks to transport livestock could disrupt these patterns, resulting in shorter migration cycles and increased pressure on grazing lands. This, in turn, could lead to overgrazing, soil degradation, and a decline in the health and productivity of rangelands. Any disruption to this cycle can have significant and lasting impacts on the Bakerwal community.
However, the closure of traditional migration routes has become a major challenge for these communities. In order to address the challenges faced by pastoralists in Jammu and Kashmir, it is important to recognize the importance of their traditional migration routes and to find ways to ensure their continued access to essential resources. This could involve the creation of alternative migration routes, the establishment of protected areas specifically designed for pastoralism, or the development of agreements between pastoralists and local communities to regulate the use of common resources.
In conclusion, the use of trucks to transport livestock may offer short-term benefits for reducing traffic congestion caused by livestock on the national highway and interiors of the city. it’s important to consider the long-term social and environmental impact on these communities. Rather than forcing them to abandon their traditional practices, the government should work with pastoralists to find sustainable solutions that ensure that their traditional ways of life are preserved while also addressing the challenges of traffic congestion.
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