‘Admin finding ways to transform lives of pastoral community in J&K’
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that the government does not believe in buying peace but in establishing peace in J&K, while he was addressing a round-table discussion on development scenario in the Union territory organised by India Foundation.
In his address, through video conferencing, the Lt Governor shared the “stellar journey of Jammu Kashmir towards peace, prosperity and unprecedented development”, a statement by government said.
“The transformation of J&K UT in less than four years has been phenomenal. We have decimated discriminatory system prevalent for almost seven-decades and implemented inclusive policies that fostered development and touched the lives of millions. People have freedom to live their life as they desire, rather than dictated by others,” the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor highlighted the reforms introduced by the government to establish a peaceful and conducive environment empowering the citizens of Jammu Kashmir.
“For the first time after independence, the common citizen of J&K can think freely and express their feelings without any fear from separatist-terrorist network. It is one of the biggest transformations common man is witnessing under leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji,” the Lt Governor said.
He said, apart from fast economic development and unparalleled growth with equity, there is a rapid social change which is reflected in day to day lives of common citizens. There is growing aspiration in the society to excel, he added.
“Peace is the first step in the journey of development. And, we do not believe in buying peace but in establishing peace. There is no distinction in policy and intent. Discriminatory policies imposed for 70 years are gone and citizens are getting equal opportunities for development,” the Lt Governor observed.
He said, the peaceful conduct of the G20 summit, Muharram procession being taken out in Kashmir after 34 years, revival of cinemas, unprecedented tourists visiting J&K UT has sent the message that J&K is on the move.
Meanwhile, LG also said that the administration is working to find ways to transform the lives of the pastoral community in the Union Territory.
He was addressing the inaugural session of a two-day workshop on pastoral challenges and the community’s role in tackling the rangeland degradation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Recently, one of the secretaries has taken part in a meeting regarding this community which I saw as an opportunity, which is promoting sustainable pastoral livelihood, preservation of bio-diversity and tackling climate change that can help in improving the socio-economic status of J-K,” Sinha said.
Shahid Chaudhary, CEO of Mission Youth, said the 2026 is being declared as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. It is to take actions on making policies that will support these communities, he said.
Rashmi Singh, a core member of the South Asian Regional Support Group for International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, said the workshop aims to understand the lives of the pastoral community and find solutions to their problems.
“It is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the International Cultural Relations, Ministry of Culture. It has two major components – to understand the culture, problems and struggles of Gujjar, Bakarwal and Chopan communities and to find the solutions to their issues,” Singh said.
Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, an environmentalist, said, “Pastoral community is under distress due to the occupation of the rangeland because of tourism-related activities, increase in population and haphazard construction.”
