Sub-committees set up to check encroachment upon grazing areas

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 29

The forest department has constituted sub-committees to prevent encroachment of grazing areas allotted to nomads every year. Committees comprising tribal representatives and forest officials would be constituted for the Jindrah, Bahu and Kalidhar forest ranges.

It was decided during a meeting of the Grazing Area Allotment Committee headed by B Mohandaas, conservator of forests (east circle), Jammu. The meeting was held to decide the allotment of grazing areas to Gujjars and Bakerwals in Jammu district for winter.

“A sub-committee in every forest range comprising grazers as members and range officer as chairman will be constituted to ensure removal of brushwood fencing, forest fire and prevention of encroachment. Rotational grazing should be continued to prevent the areas from further degradation,” said Mohandass.

Sat Paul, divisional forest official, Jammu, said efforts were being made so that marginal and poor grazers were given fair and proportional allocation. The nomadic community members who met the forest department officials highlighted their issues and sought their support for the winter months.

Every winter, thousands of Gujjars and Bakerwals along with their livestock travel to plains of Jammu from their alpine pastures in the high altitudes. Here, they are allotted forest area for grazing their livestock.