Jammu, Aug 31 - From time immemorial the Gujjar tribe has travelled hundreds of kilometres in summer to the upper regions of the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir with its livestock. But 20 years of militancy, government restrictions and loss of lives seem to be bringing the journey of these nomads to an end.

Gujjars and Bakerwals (sheep herders) form about 20 percent of the 11 million population of the state.

A new survey revealed that Gujjars who lead a lonely and tough life in the high altitude Himalayan meadows and the Pir Panjal mountains are gradually settling down in the plains.

The Gujjars are known to take their sheep high in the mountains. It may take them as many as 60 days to reach those meadows. During summer, they move from one meadow to another. Along with their herd, they move up to the upper reaches in the Himalayan pastures as climatic condition suits them and their sheep and cattle.

They are mostly concentrated in Rajouri-Poonch, Jammu, Kangan, Kupwara and Baramullah districts.

The startling change in the historic tradition of Gujjars has been attributed by the study to 'heavy loss of precious lives, properties, lack of basic education, health and communication facilities and restriction on their movement to upper reaches.'

The survey has been conducted by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, a national organisation working on the status of Gujjars in India.

Quoting the survey, Javaid Rahi, national secretary of the foundation, said: 'More than 37 percent Gujjars who are migratory by tradition have relinquished their nomadic lifestyle during the last 20 years of turmoil in the state.