HP Elections: Delayed movement of Gaddis

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), November 6, 2012: Gaddi community in Himachal Pradesh is basically the residents of Bharmour area of Chamba district of Himachal.

They rare sheep and Goat in on the creamy grass of the Bhamour area which is Just behind the Mighty Dhouladhar Ranges of Kangra District.

Majority of this tribe travel to plains of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan during winter as the grass lands of Bharmour and Chamba remain covered by the snow for four to six months before reproducing this rare grass in summer, to attract the back in March- April.

This process of mass shifting of Gaddis with their heard of Sheep and Goats starts in early October every year, but due to assembly election polling held on November 4, their shifting delayed for a month as this tribal community has also started taking interest in the politics of the state.

Kirdu Ram one owner of such herd said, “We too have over men at levels like Ministers, they could be approached easily to sort out our problems, so we too look forward for such elections.” Another Smasya Devi said, “A `Bada Saheb’ told us to vote, so we voted , otherwise who care for us, we travel almost whole of the year there is even no land for us to stay at night during travelling.”

Jaffu Ram said,” Most of us are leaving this trade of sheep and goats due to lack of facilities. As we too need jobs for livelihood, we have to take interest in elections to raise our voice.”

One might see long herds of such travelers along road sides in Himachal and Punjab during this season.The Gaddis, are a tribe living mainly in  the Bharmaur area of  Indian states of Himachal, they are Hindus and belong to several castes . The Industrial Minister of Dhumal-led government in Himachal  was also a Gaddi.

The Gaddis traditionally live on both sides of the (Dhauladhar) Range in Himachal Pradesh. Now most of the Gaddis are landowners and practice agriculture as their primary means of livelihood. Since they have homes in villages, over a period of time they have settled down and practice agriculture. Horticulture in the area has been quite successful in the recent years. Red Royal Apple grown in the area is one of the best varieties in the world.

Generally, the Gaddis travel with their flocks to higher pastures in the summer and lower in winter.  The wool produced by these local sheep in the state has been considered to be the best in the country, so far as the quality of indigenous sheep wool is concerned.