‘Allow shepherds to access highland pastures to safeguard their livelihood’

Srinagar, May 30: The Jammu & Kashmir Chopan Welfare Association and the J&K RTI Movement have jointly appealed to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, and GOC Chinar Corps to permit the seasonal migration of Chopan shepherds to highland pastures across the Kashmir region.

In a statement released by Ghulam Mohiudin Chopan, Publicity Secretary of the Chopan Welfare Association, the group expressed concern over restrictions that are preventing the community from accessing meadows in the Pir Panjal range and other upland grazing areas.

They said that continued denial of access to traditional pastures is severely impacting the livelihoods of Chopans, a landless community whose income depends on rearing sheep owned by local farmers.

“We have always cooperated with the authorities, even during peak militancy. But our migration is being blocked at a time when lower plains are already farmed and weather conditions are unsuitable for livestock,” the association stated.

They appealed for immediate intervention by LG Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah, and GOC Chinar Corps Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, highlighting the urgency for shepherds to move to pastures such as Toshamaidan, Danidaar, Pehjan, Chaskaninar, Ashtar, Liddermud, and Bargah.

Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Chairman of the J&K RTI Movement, backed the appeal and urged security agencies to facilitate the movement through proper screening mechanisms.