Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Gujjars of Jammu District

Author(s): Dr. Nisha Sharma

Abstract:

The unexpected COVID-19 pandemic situation has adversely affected the Indian population. Barely any sections of society could escape the disastrous effect of this pandemic. The Gujjar community was also affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Gujjar is the most populous Scheduled Tribe in Jammu District of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. COVID-19 has affected many parts of world and India. It has also affected the socio-economic life of the Gujjars. The purpose of this paper is to study the socio-economic condition of Gujjars at the time of COVID-19 pandemic and how it gave birth to different kinds of issues and caused poverty and hunger like conditions among them and also how due to lockdown restrictions, Gujjars had faced transportation problems for their milk and milk products. Gujjars and Bakarwals are the third largest ethnic group after Kashmiris and Dogras inhabiting the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. According to the 2011 census, the Gujjars and Bakkarwals constitute 11.9% of the total population of Jammu and Kashmir-1.5 million out of 12.5 million. Traditionally nomadic communities, with their names indicating the livestock they reared (Gujjars reared cattle, Bakarwals reared sheep and goats-“Gau” means cow, and “Bakara” is goat”), the communities have adopted somewhat different paths. The Gujjars of Jammu & Kashmir are predominantly Muslims and their way of life, language and customs are strikingly different as compared to their counterparts settled mostly in the plains of the Union Territory. Due to increase in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, it became harder for them to sell their dairy products. Data for the study has been collected by using a designed interview schedule. In this paper an attempt has been made to assess and evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Gujjars of Jammu District. The results of the study concluded that marginal people suffered a lot in comparison to salaried people. The economic activities has been halted which put an economic burden on this marginal community.

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