Such a long journey

AprilMay is springtime in Kashmir and also a period that witnesses more than two lakh Gujjars and Bakarwals mdash tribes based in the Himalayan region mdash making inroads into its lush meadows from Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu looking for pastures for their cattleZahoor Ahmad carries a goat as he leads his cattle near Peer Ki Gali 80 kilometres south of SrinagarTravelling by foot with their flock of cattle and belongings in tow these tribes camp overnight at several habitable spots before resuming their journey to greener pasturesThey are even accompanied by the bakarwal dogs or what they call bhotia to protect their herd Srinagar based photographer Imran Shah who accompanied the tribes this year on their trail within the Valley reveals that the moment the tribe makes a successful journey into Kashmir they visit a shrine located at the Peer Ki Galli near Mughal road to offer namaz prayerRashid Khan rests on the bark of a tree with his son and a pet sheep at Hirpora 65 kilometres south of SrinagarSince they have no money they offer goats milk at the shrine This is their way of expressing gratitude for having made it to their destination safely he saysBakarwal migration reaches its peak around this time The tribes reside in lush verdant areas of the Valley for about five months to escape the heat of JammuAltaf Ahmad holds his oneyearold son MushtaqAround OctoberNovember which marks the onset of winter in Kashmir the tribes slowly make their way to warmer regions in Jammu Their journey is often long and arduous wherein they have to brave rough and uncompromising weatherAjaz Ahmed a Gujjar says It takes us 1015 days from Rajouri to Kashmir We have to walk as long as the cattle and sheep We stop at duskA Bakarwal shepherd walks along with his cattle near Peer Ki GaliWhile most take their family along some leave their wives and children behind They do have cellphones and carry portable solar chargers reveals ShahThe nomads who cook in the open find it difficult to do so due to the harsh climate They normally survive on rice maize bread salted tea and fruits Their clothes are colourful and vibrantA Bakarwal nomad leads his cattle near Dubgan 70 kilometres south of SrinagarWhile the men are usually seen in loose kurtas and pyjamas and sweaters women are seen in salwar kameez of dark hues such as maroon dark blue and black with a dupatta covering their headTheir hair is normally braided That the women take keen interest in the jewellery is reflected in their chunky metal jewelleryA Bakarwal nomad takes a napHaving lived in isolation the tribes have developed their own culture The tribes even have their Gojari language which is distinct from the languages spoken in the Himalayan region reveals ShahThe road aheadWhile their primary objective behind the migration is to help their cattle find lush pastures they also try to eke out a living by selling wares like handmade embroidered itemsA cellphone has been put on charge on a solar charging deviceIf harsh weather wasnt enough of an impediment some even claim to face harassment from cops Cops try to extort money out of us says Mohammed Riyaz a Bakarwal nomadDue to the biannual migration and nomadic lifestyle about two lakh nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals mostly remain illiterate due to lack of education facilities in the higher reaches of the stateBashir Khan and his son watch over a flock outside their tent at a temporary camp in HirporaHowever the state has made facilities for seasonal schools where a teacher is employed at several pockets of Gujjar dwellings to impart basic educationAlthough most are illiterate the younger generation is receiving education says Shah He gives us the example of Bashir Ahmed a nomad from the tribeA Bakarwal family prepares food as they stop for a short break in HirporaAlthough he is illiterate he is making sure that his children attend school so that they live a better life than him he saysThe seniors of the Bakarwal clan huddle near the bark in Hirpora