Srinagar, 25 September ,2025:Each autumn, more than 98,000 Bakarwal families set out on the world’s largest climate-driven seasonal migration, covering nearly 600 km as they move from high-altitude mountain pastures to their winter homes in the plains.
The arduous journey often takes them through highways, where they can be seen walking even at night to avoid traffic — sometimes facing honking, hurdles, or even harshness from commuters. Despite these challenges, the community continues its centuries-old tradition of migration, which is deeply tied to their pastoral way of life and livelihood practices.
A few years ago, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched a significant initiative to ease their journey. The administration introduced transit shelters and a free-of-cost transport service for the migrating families and their livestock. These measures provided relief and safety, reducing hardships for thousands of nomadic households.
Officials have indicated that more such facilities and welfare measures are in the pipeline, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting tribal communities, preserving traditions, and promoting inclusive development in Jammu and Kashmir.
