Environmental Sciences, Centre for Biodiversity Studies, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre Jammu, organized a thought-provoking two-day National Seminar titled “Astha, Parampara aur Prakṛti: Exploring the Sacred Continuum of Faith, Tradition, and Nature among the Bakarwal Community.”
Mr. Abhishek Sharma (IAS), Registrar, BGSBU, graced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest and delivered a compelling keynote address. In his address he underscored the urgent need to preserve and promote indigenous knowledge systems that are rapidly eroding in the face of modernisation, climate change, and cultural homogenisation.
He emphasized that the Bakarwal community embodies a sustainable way of life, deeply rooted in ecological balance and spiritual wisdom. “Their traditions are not relics of the past, but living systems of knowledge that offer critical lessons in environmental conservation, resilience, and community cohesion,” he noted.
Mr. Sharma further remarked that the time has come for academic institutions, policymakers, and civil society to recognize the value of indigenous voices and integrate them into mainstream development narratives. “We must create platforms like this seminar to celebrate, learn from, and protect the intangible heritage of nomadic communities like the Bakarwals, who for generations have lived in harmony with the natural world,” he added.
He lauded the organizers for curating a multidisciplinary forum that brought together scholars, ecologists, anthropologists, cultural experts, and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange. He urged for actionable outcomes from such academic gatherings that can inform policy, enrich curricula, and inspire youth to engage with indigenous knowledge traditions.
Dr. Shreekar Pant, Director, CBS presented welcome address and deliberated that the event aimed to shed light on the intricate tapestry of beliefs, traditional practices, and ecological knowledge that define the cultural life of the nomadic Bakarwal community of the Western Himalayas.
Dr Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Regional Centre Jammu in her address stated that the Bakarwal community represents a living archive of Himalayan wisdom — their seasonal mobility, oral traditions, and sacred relationship with the land form a unique lens through which we must view sustainable living.
Professor M. K. Waqar, renowned academician, further lauded the university’s initiative to bring academic attention to communities whose knowledge systems have long been marginalised in mainstream discourses and commended the efforts of the organisers in highlighting such a vital and often underrepresented community.
Distinguished speakers namely Dr. Bhanu Kumar Vats, Assistant Professor, University of Delhi, Dr. Harish Dutt, Assistant Professor, University of Jammu, Dr Danish Iqbal Raina, Assistant Professor and Shri Brajesh Jha, Senior Journalist also addressed the growing challenges faced by the Bakarwal community, including the pressures of sedentarisation, shrinking pasturelands, lack of representation in policy frameworks, and the impact of climate change on their traditional routes and water sources.
The inaugural session concluded with a strong call to action for more inclusive research and policy interventions to protect the cultural and ecological heritage of pastoral nomadic communities in India. Special gratitude was expressed to Professor Jawaid Iqbal, Vice Chancellor, BGSB University for their constant support.
Dr. Shachi Sood, Assistant Professor, Department of English conducted the proceedings of the program while Dr. Mamta Bhat, Coordinator, Department of Environmental Sciences extended heartfelt thanks to all collaborators, scholars, and student volunteers who made the event possible.
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