Webinar on Gujjars and Bakerwals of Jammu & Kashmir: The guardians of nature and the saviour of environment was organized by Regional Centre, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) on 30th January 2022.Dr. Virendra Bangroo, Director, Regional Centre of IGNCA, moderated the session and described the role of the Gujjar Bakerwal community in Nation building and conservation of natural resources.
Sh. Khursheed Ahmed Khatana, writer, in his address, said that Gujjar Bakerwal is the third biggest community of J&K. He elucidated on their active role in the protection and conservation of Nature and the best use of its resources. Sh. Chaudhary Shabir Ahmed Paswal explained that the oral literature and traditions are full of praise for nature and its restricted use. Sh. Rajesh Koul, the documentary filmmaker, is documenting this community for the last forty years and found it most hospitable. He reiterated that this community is truly a saviour of forests and wherever they go there is greenery.Sh. Sumanta Sarathi Sharma, Head of the School of Philosophy and Culture, and Faculty Coordinator Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat at SMVDU, in his concluding address, applauded the role of the Gujjar Bakerwal community in overall development. He envisaged the new generation of the community will play a bigger role in Nation building and thereby inculcating the feeling of pride within and outside. The webinar ended with a formal vote of thanks.