Sustaining seasonal migration: struggles of Bakarwals Amid the Covid-19 pandemic

The novel coronavirus has disrupted the lives and livelihoods of many people around the world. This muddle has been experienced in India by people in line with existing vulnerabilities. ‘Bakarwal’, a pastoral nomadic tribe residing in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India undergoes this equivalent dilemma. For them, the year 2020 becomes convoluted owing to the adversaries of the pandemic. COVID-19 induced lockdown becomes an obstruction for their seasonal migration and further experiences numerous uncertainties. Keeping into view these observations, the present study explores their socio-cultural and economic struggles before, during, and after their seasonal migration. A qualitative approach was employed. Telephone Interviews using an Interview schedule were conducted. Results indicated that ‘Bakarwal’ tribe have undergone unfamiliar conditions with the onset of the pandemic. Movement barriers, seasonal animal diseases, the stigma of being carriers of the virus, psychological pressure, inadequate basic amenities, and loss of annual trade were the major repercussions encountered by them.