- Use traditional Knowledge to fight natural threats: TRCF to Gujjars
JAMMU: The Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation-a frontal organisation of J&K Tribes today advised the nomadic Gujjars and Bakarwal, who are presently under seasonal migration in upper reaches of North-Western Himalaya along with their livestock to utilize the traditional knowledge to manage the threats of cloudbursts, landslides thundering and lighting in hilly and forest areas of J&K and Himachal Pardesh.
The advisery was issued in view of unusual change in weather conditions in J&K and adjoining states, for the last few months. Dr. Javaid Rahi Secretary of the Foundation while presiding a programme, held here to discuss the issues being faced by nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals , today appeals the tribal heads of different DERA’s not to be panic of natural disasters in advance added that they should use traditional knowledge -which they inherited from their ancestors since centuries to deal with such catastrophes.
He suggested that Tribal Ministry should provide “Disaster Management training to nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals youth and equip them to face natural adversities during their day to day life. In Jammu and Kashmir more than half a million nomads who lives in Shivalik, Pirpanjal and Trikuta Hills and other mountainous ranges of north western Himalayas are facing extreme adversities changing climate during this year’s ‘seasonal migration’- a tradition they have practised for centuries-.
Dr. Rahi said to tackle natural adversities the Tribal communities are making use of traditional knowledge since centuries. They know where to sit where not to sit in forest and hilly areas during lighting and thundering. They are also aware of areas and trees prone to lighting during rain. However he advised the Tribal people to follow the weather advisories broadcast from Radio to avoid major loss of human life and livestock.
A nomad Wali Mohammad Chowdhary in his speech said during last few months hundreds of sheep and horses, perished in the hostile weather conditions and said that every year we people face a losses in shape of properties and live stock. Ch Mohammad Sadeeq a tribal head from Darahal Rajouri said that a number of human lives have been lost in near past due to natural adversities. He asked the Tribal youth to get training from volunteer organisations to deal with the natural disasters. Others who spoke on the occasion included Mphammd Rafi, Ghulam Mohamad Chechi, Din Mohammad Dhakar, Aleem ud Din Chowdhary, Irshad Ahmed, Nazir Ahmad Khatana, Warast Ali and others.