CLIMATE CHANGE AND TRIBALS: A STUDY OF CHALLENGES FACED BY THE GUJJAR AND BAKARWAL COMMUNITY IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Climate change is emerging as the most concerning global issue which has impacted the social, economic and environmental aspects of life worldwide. Indigenous groups, especially tribal people, are frequently the most susceptible to its effects because of their intimate ties to the environment and reliance on natural resources. The present research aims to explore the impact on the Gujjars and Bakarwals (the two significant tribal groups) in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory. Due to climate changes such as unpredictable rainfall, increasing temperatures, less snowfall and melting of glaciers, these historically pastoral and nomadic people are observing major changes in their lifestyle and have encountered numerous challenges. Using secondary sources, this research investigates both the direct and indirect effects that climate change has on these two indigenous communities including diminished acces to the forest resources, altered traditional migration routes, loss of pastures, social and cultutal upheavals, etc. The paper emphasizes the necessity of government programs and policies that can alleviate these challenges and safeguard the traditional livelihoods of these indigenous people.