The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir State today approached to J&K High Court for protection of tribal properties and other historic monuments alongside the Mughal Road and appealed for an appropriate action against the forces who are intentionally destroying the nomadic cultural heritage. In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of J&K High Court, sent through Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation a Premier organization of Nomadic Gujjars it was alleged that more than a dozen Sarais (Temporary Shelters) and other seats related to nomadic-Gujjar identity were deliberately ruined during last few years, located on tribal migration routes, at the side of under construction road-coming up as an alternative link between Jammu and Srinagar through Pir Panchal a part of mountain chain of great Himalaya. Giving details Dr. Javaid Rahi, Secretary of Tribal Foundation said “We have taken up the matter to judiciary with a prayer to treat our request as Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and direct the agencies to stop damaging and destroying the nomadic assets including the Dohaks, Baheks and initiate steps for restoration of all the Sarais’ and other temporary shelters along side the Mughal Road being used by the nomadic Gujjars. The letter pleaded that Hindustan Construction Corporation Ltd. (HCCL) agency and other related parties be directed to stop ruining of historic and traditional monuments and initiate immediate steps for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage sites and restore the pristine glory of heritage Sarais’ at Chandi Marh, Pushana, Duggran, Dongi Marag, Alaiabad, Shukta Saran besides Thana mandi, Saaj, Changes, Fethey, Muradpur, Narian and other monuments with in time frame. The letter alleged that local land mafia is also involved in destroying the tribal properties constructed under Gujjar Bakerwal Sub Plan on tribal migration routes adding that a number of temporary shelters were ruined by various forces so that the encroachers used the land to establish their business alongside the road which needs immediate re-constructions. He also impressed upon the law enforcements agencies to intervene in the matter. The Scheduled Tribe Gujjars which constitute around 20% of total population of State are mostly nomads and are practicing primitive cultural treats and migrating along with their livestock to upper reaches of Himalaya since time immemorial, through seven major tribal migration routes including the route presently known as Mughal Road. The Mughals taking a cue from nomad Gujjars constructed this route to travel Kashmir during the sixteenth century. The route used by Mughal emperor Akbar to visit Kashmir in 1586, and his son Emperor Jahangir died while returning from Kashmir on this road near Rajouri. Now the State government is contracting 84km long Road (Bafliaz-Herpur) passes over Pir Panchal Mountain range, at altitude of 11,500 ft . Dr. Javaid Rahi said number of forces are bent upon to evacuate the Gujjars who are the traditional owner and dwellers of lands located on this historic route from their properties and Dhoks situated along side the Mughal Road. He said we will go to any extent to protect tribal properties and our people. He also appealed the organisations working for the rights of tribals at national and international level to join hands against this anti-tribal act.