Gujjars, Bakerwals asked to actively participate in ‘21st Livestock, pastoralist census’

Jammu, Oct 27: Noted tribal researcher Dr Javaid Rahi Sunday urged the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities, the primary pastoralist groups of Jammu and Kashmir, to actively participate in India's most comprehensive livestock census starting from this week.

“This 21st Livestock census marks a pivotal move, including data on pastoralist communities and gender roles in animal husbandry for the first time,” he stated, while addressing the gathering during a programme of pastoral communities, organized by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation.

Dr Rahi emphasised that the census, scheduled to take place from October 2024 to February 2025, would include a door-to-door survey across all villages and urban wards in Jammu and Kashmir. He appealed to Gujjar-Bakerwals, Gaddis, Chopan communities to take part in the census and to provide basic information to the staff. He called on community members to assist the deployed staff, primarily veterinarians and para-veterinarians, to ensure accurate data collection of every locality where the pastoral communities resided.

Dr Rahi highlighted the critical role pastoralists play in contributing to the country’s GDP and emphasized that a comprehensive census would provide valuable insights into the specific needs of these communities. “This data will help form policies and improve livestock management practices, benefitting not only the Gujjar, Bakerwal and Gaddi communities but also contributing to the nation’s milk, meat, wool and leather industries,” he added.

He further underscored that this census would present a clearer picture of the tribal and pastoralist communities, which often face economic challenges and lower literacy rates. Accurate data from this census could drive initiatives for social and economic upliftment, Dr Rahi said.

Other notable speakers included Mohammad  Maqbool, Fareed Ahmed, Din Mohammad Chechi, Nazir Khathaba and Shokat Kassana, who also urged community members to participate wholeheartedly in this crucial exercise.