The Hindu : National : Bakerwals back on track

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Bakerwals back on track

Luv Puri

Thanks to peace in higher reaches of J&K, the nomads have restarted trekking

— Photo: Luv Puri

On the move: Bakerwals trekking on the Pir Panjal range of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gulabgarh: Bakerwals have revived their centuries-old tradition by taking natural Himalayan routes, thanks to peace in the higher mountain ranges of Jammu and Kashmir.

Bakerwals are a rare nomadic tribe of Jammu and Kashmir. They move from the low-altitude areas to the high-altitude places during the summer and their movement is reversed in winter.

Final destination

Gulabgarh, a picturesque bowl of the hilly Reasi district adjoining the mighty Pir Panjal range, is playing host to the first batch of Bakerwal clan. The Hindu caught up with a group of Bakerwals who were camping here for their final destination to the Drass area of Ladakh, which is the second coldest inhabited place on earth after Siberia. The movement is via the Nikkan pass situated on the Pir Panjal range and Kulgam district.

Bakerwals have over the years borne the brunt of militancy. Due to militants’ presence, Bakerwals avoid the normal routes and take the roadway.

Says Ramzan Khattana: “We have decided to go by this route after a decade. Previously, we were scared due to the presence of militants and we were invariably caught up in the war between security forces and militants. This is our centuries-old practice and we are happy to be back in our natural abode.”

But, Bakerwals are worried about the education of their children.

Mobile schools started for them by the State government are not working and none is monitoring the attendance of teachers.

Recently, the government announced that it would conduct a district-wise survey of the redundant mobile schools. But nothing has come out of that so far.

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