Lifeworld of Borderland Pastoralists: Narratives of Mobility, Conflict, Change, Emotional Distress and Wellbeing among Pastoralists in Poonch, J&K

Transhumance, the seasonal movement of people with their livestock from lower altitudes to higher altitudes, is a long-standing tradition that sustains livelihood of many pastoral communities. Poonch, a sensitive border region, has seen many wars since the Partition of 1947. The transhumant pastoralists (TPs) of Poonch have been through many struggles and suffering due to various reasons; their close proximity to Line of Control (LoC), environmental changes, recurrent exposures to conflict and so on. With this background, present study explores the changing lifeworld of transhumant pastoralists (TPs) of conflict-prone borderland district Poonch of Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It aims to understand how TPs experience and interpret the disruptions they face due to ongoing border conflict, environmental changes and gradual pull of modernity. A qualitative research design was adopted, and data was collected through unstructured interviews with five Gujjar and Bakarwal pastoralists living near the Line of Control (LoC). Data was analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six stage thematic analysis framework. Using an Ecosocial perspective, study demonstrates that emotional suffering among pastoralists cannot be understood solely as an individual experience but must be situated within broader historical, political, ecological, and institutional contexts. Border conflict, environmental pressures, and state neglect interact to affect livelihood, mobility, well-being, and the sustainability of pastoral life. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for conflict-sensitive compensation mechanisms, mobile psychosocial and veterinary services, migration-sensitive education, and inclusive welfare policies that recognize the unique realities of pastoral communities living in conflict-prone borderlands.