This was stated by J-K Forest Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmad, who said that the government is exploring the possibility of permanent settlement of the nomadic Gujjar community who are temporarily putting up in the different areas of Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts.

The minister was addressing a gathering of nomads at Harya Chak village in Hira Nagar tehsil, where he had gone on a day long tour. Earlier, he had ordered the attachment of Divisional Forest Officer Kathua after local people of the area complained that some people are indulging in smuggling of timber and other vegetation from the area.

Responding to the demands of nomads putting up in the area, the minister said that special colonies will be developed with all basic facilities for their settlement. He however said that a consensus is needed to be developed in the selection of a particular area which will be developed into a special colony to settle the nomadic community.

Seeking their co-operation, he said that many things, including feasibility of the area suiting the occupation of population to be covered will be discussed before the launch of the project. He said that the development of Gujjar colonies would also facilitate the provision of basic services including health services and educational facilities to the nomadic community.