Srinagar July 13:(KNS) Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary conducted a 2-day extensive tour of nomadic habitations in highland pastures of District Kupwara to review the progress on ongoing survey initiated for target oriented plan formulation by the department. Interactions were held with stakeholder communities for planning of various interventions.
Discussions were held with members of migratory tribal population presently camping at different highland pastures including Dragpathri, Nildori, Kukar seen, Badabangus behak, Rawwali, Idel, Cheenkta dayaar, Chota bangus behak, Phali pather, Doodhkul, Teerdwan, Iencncha, Dooban, Laswali, Katianwali ,Balian, , chapran, Sapawali, Drangyari behak, Rangwar behak, Badibeha in Kupwara. Interaction was also held with visiting officials and various stakeholders.
The department of tribal affairs has initiated the first survey of highland pastures and migratory routes for planning a robust support system aimed at better service delivery to transhumant or migratory tribal population in J&K. The survey under progress in all 20 districts under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners and with active role by Chief Planning Officers and District Statistics and Evaluation Officers aims to analyse the status of education, healthcare, livestock healthcare, livelihood and other socio-economic indicators apart from requirement of transit infrastructure, disaster relief and other parameters.
Dr Shahid obtained a firsthand assessment of difficulties faced by the tribal families on migration to highland pastures for livestock grazing and sustenance. An overview of ration availability, mobile schools, healthcare, veterinary facilities and housing issues was obtained during the discussions. He emphasised on greater involvement of the tribal communities in plan formulation and active stakeholder partnership. The issues raised by the people during migration are being taken up with concerned departments based on the feedback from target groups in different locations .
He assured the people for active coordination by the tribal affairs department for quality education, sports, youth engagement, skilling of tribal communities, benefits of FRA, provision of facilities in different sectors including health care, veterinary and employment. Promotion of tribal art and culture, languages and traditional knowledge was also discussed during the outreach camps held at various places.
The residents of tribal transhumant habitations appreciated the efforts of J&K Government for a consultative process initiated to map the issues of community and obtaining feedback from ground for development planning and budget formulation which will go a long way in institutional involvement of the tribal communities at various levels for their overall development.
The department is actively engaging with all the stakeholders for a coordinated approach aimed at overall welfare and holistic development of the tribal communities in J&K. Various initiatives are underway in this regard .(KNS)