The Bakkarwal of Jammu and Kashmir
The Bakkarwal are a pastoral nomadic community of about half a million people, living between Jammu and the high-altitude meadows of Kashmir. Every year, at the beginning of spring, they undertake one of the most challenging migrations in the world: a 350 km journey that takes nearly 50 days, crossing the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas with their herds.
Despite their resilience and deep knowledge of the land, their existence remains precarious. Social prejudice has long marked them as “unsettled” or “criminal,” and climate change further threatens their survival. In 2023, an unexpected snowstorm during the crossing decimated their livestock, severely undermining their livelihood.
Through these portraits I wanted to show the dignity, strength, and uncertainty that define their way of life — not as exotic figures, but as human beings facing a fragile and uncertain future.
Migration Route of the Bakkarwal (approximate):
- Departure: Jammu (late March)
- Path: Through Mughal Road / Banihal Road over the Pir Panjal Range
- Key Passes: Banihal Pass, Peer-ki-Gali, Mughal Road
- Destinations: Alpine meadows near Sonmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir Valley
Duration: ~50 days covering ~350 km with livestock.
- Departure: Jammu (late March)
- Path: Through Mughal Road / Banihal Road over the Pir Panjal Range
- Key Passes: Banihal Pass, Peer-ki-Gali, Mughal Road
- Destinations: Alpine meadows near Sonmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir Valley
Duration: ~50 days covering ~350 km with livestock.
