Shopian (Jammu & Kashmir): With the onset of winter, the annual migration of nomads begins in the region. With the onset of winter in the region, nomadic families migrate to the warmer places of Jammu and Kashmir. Every year the nomads migrate with their cattle from the Pir Panchal hills to Jammu and return to the Kashmir Valley as soon as the summer season begins.
The historic Mughal Road is the only road connecting Kashmir Valley with the Poonch and Rajouri districts of the Jammu province. The frequent closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which makes it impossible to ferry cattle and other draught animals via road through trucks.
In winter, nomads move their livestock including sheep, goats, buffaloes, and horses to warmer plains like Panchal, Jammu, and Kashmir in winter and live there with their livestock till summer.
Nomads cover a distance of 84 km. Last year, the nomadic community had difficulty moving their livestock due to the coronavirus, and they suffered losses, but this year they have made good profits.
Muhammad Ghafoor, a resident of Rajouri, says he turns to warmer areas because of the cold. They make a living by selling livestock. "Every year, hundreds of nomadic families migrate to the warmer places for the next six months," he added.
This seasonal migration is necessary to save the flock, they say.
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