Palampur: Snow melts, shepherds start moving to higher hills
Our Correspondent
Palampur May 28
Scores of shepherds who were held up in Palampur and its adjoining areas for the past two months because of unusual snowfall in the month of April and May in high-altitude areas of Kangra, Chamba and Lahual Spiti districts have now started moving to higher hills along with their animals.
Because of inclement weather, shepherds had been held up in Palampur and other areas of Kangra district with their animals since March. With the onset of summers these tribes move to high hills every year along with their flock of animals.
These shepherds are from the traditional Gaddi community and have been moving like this for generations. In summers, they move up in high-altitude areas of Dhauladhar hills, Chhota and Bara Bhanghal, Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur and in parts of Chamba district.
Talking to The Tribune, a number of shepherds said they were held up in Palampur and its adjoin areas because of heavy snow fall in the month of April and May as their all traditional routes via Chamba and Thamsar pass of Dhauladhar hills were blocked because of heavy snow.
R K Gupta, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, while talking to The Tribune, said the global warming had resulted in change in snow lines. Unusual rain and snow in the high-altitude areas of state had forced these tribes to spend more times in lower hills of the state. He said heavy snowfall in Dhauladhar hills and Lahaul Spiti in the month of April and May is reducing their traditional pastures in high-altitude areas which was a matter of concern.
