Chopan Association, RTI Movement appeal LG, CM & GOC Chinar Corps
Srinagar May 30th : Chopan Welfare Association and Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement have appealed to authorities especially Lt Governor, Chief Minister and GOC Chinar Corps Srinagar to allow seasonal migration of their community members to highland pastures of Kashmir.
In a statement issued to press through Publicity Secretary of J&K Chopan Welfare Association Ghulam Mohiudin Chopan, the association has appealed that seasonal migration to pasturelands of Kashmir especially in Pir Panjal mountain range is not being allowed by authorities which is impacting the livelihood of local Chopans as farming activity has already taken place in plain areas and warm weather conditions is not at all feasible for the livestock especially sheep.
“ We are very much concerned about the security conditions and have always cooperated with authorities, especially the Army even during the peak time of insurgency. Chopan community is a landless community whose livelihood is dependent on sheep rearing which are owned by farmers. We seek intervention of LG Manoj Singa, CM Omar Abdullah and GOC Chinar Corps Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava on this issue. If Chopans don’t undertake seasonal migration they won’t be paid wages as well especially those moving to Toshamaidan , Danidaar, Pehjan, Chaskaninar, Ashtar , Liddermud, Bargah and other meadows “ reads the statement of Chopan Welfare Association
Meanwhile Chairman Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat has also appealed authorities to take serious notice of this issue and allow movement of Chopans in upper reaches of Kashmir especially Pir Panjal mountains of Shopian , Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla districts
“This is a matter of livelihood for thousands of Chopan families. I would request security agencies to make proper screening of these shepherds and allow them to move towards highland pastures as grasslands in lower reaches and villages have already shrunken due to urbanization and sheep can’t tolerate the hot weather conditions as well especially when the agriculture fields are not open due to sowing of paddy seedlings . For every sheep farmers pay Rs 300 to 400 and that is the source of income for this nomadic community who are not even recognized as a scheduled tribe-ST community. If chopans are not allowed to move up to pasturelands, farmers won’t pay them the wages which will destroy the livelihood of this disadvantaged community. I am sure GOC Chinar Corps Lt Gen Srivastava who is very humble and decorated officer will give this issue a sympathetic look as had been done in case of Bakerwals” said Dr Raja Muzaffar
