Jammu, February 27 (Scoop News) – Demanding special allocations in State’s budget 2011 to provide food security to nomadic Tribes alongwith rehabilitation package , the Gujjars -a major Schedule Tribe community of Jammu and Kashmir today urged for developing a sustainable approach to boost ‘Tribal Economy’ which is at verge of collapse due to poverty, illiteracy and globalization.
In a programme, held here to discuss ‘Tribal Economy of Jammu and Kashmir’ organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation –a frontal organization of Gujjars, , the speakers pleaded for immediate steps to revitalised the nomadic financial system as it has facing tremendous pressures from all sides.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Javaid Rahi, Secretary Tribal Foundation said a substantial chunk of nomadic population of Gujjars , Bakerwals and other tribes are facing acute food-insecurity in the state and an immediate help is required for a majority of tribal people who consume less than 60 percent of minimum energy requirements.
A sustainable food security to nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals with a programme to eliminate poverty, illiteracy and proper rehabilitation of nomadic tribes can help a lot to make better the tribal economy of Gujjars which was surviving since, he said.
The "Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir 2010"-a government document tabled in state Assembly last year says that more than 42 percent population of Scheduled Tribe population majority of them belongs to Gujjars and Bakerwals lives under Below Poverty line but nomads being migratory could not take the benefits of BPL schemes, said Rahi adding that it is high time to categories them under new groups to be covered under some new schemes of rehabilitation and Food security to combat malnutrition among tribes of J&K and to invest in human resources.
Dr. Zabeer Bajjar a scientist said that "the equitable growth of country and state cannot be achieved without guaranteeing food security to hitherto marginalized and isolated sections of our society, mainly the Gujjars of the state who constitute 20 percent total populations of the state and more than 85 percent of
Besides food insecurity and poverty, the tribe also suffers due to over all discrimination and neglect, unhygienic living condition, of lack of literacy, basic amenities and health care in the state, speakers said.
The speakers said and hoped that the State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather while preparing budget will take care of marginalized communities and nomadic groups.
Besides Gujjar-Bakerwals the other tribes of state who are facing same problems includes Gaddi, Sippi, Barokpa, Changpa and Dard.
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