Sangathan seeks tribal status for Churah

Urges govt for fresh survey

Our Correspondent

Chamba, September 29

The Chamba Jan Hit Sangathan has raised the issue of the grant of tribal status to the remote Churah region, both upper and lower, of Chamba district, as has been given to Pangi and Bharmour.

Sangathan convener Shadi Lal Sharma and president Kishor Baroo have urged the state government to hold a fresh comprehensive survey to ascertain their difficult socio-economic conditions and other facts.

During the winter, the nomads of the area migrate from mountain pastures to lower areas of Punjab, Jammu, Kangra and Una.

“They rear sheep, goats and buffaloes. They depend on sheep for wool to be used in making clothes and blankets and on goats and buffaloes for milk,” they said.

“It is because these areas are backward that Chamba district has been listed among the backward districts of the country for a long time. The area can get more funds and attention if it is given the tribal status,” Sharma said.