Socio-economic status of Ponywallas associated with Shri-Amarnath Yatra and ecotourism in Kashmir valley

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the socio-economic status of ponywallas associated with Shri-Amarnath
Yatra and ecotourism in the regions of Pahalgam and Sonamargh of Kashmir valley. Majority of ponywallas in the
Pahalgam (79.17%) and Sonamargh region (78.75%) were illiterate and the majority of the families from Pahalgam
(63.33%) and Sonamargh (63.75%) were medium sized with 5–8 members. Followed by large families with > 8
members 34.17% in Pahalgam and 36.25% in Sonamargh, respectively. Most of them were associated with
recreational usage of ponies belonging to age group of 40–55 years with 64.17% in Pahalgam and 63.75% in
Sonamargh, respectively followed by 18–40 years age group with 24.17% in Pahalgam and 21.25% in Sonamargh,
respectively. All ponywallas were having marginal land holdings. Majority of the respondents were using ponies
for recreation services with 71.67% in Pahalgam and 57.75% in Sonamargh area as their primary occupation
followed by other services (20%) and livestock rearing (8.33%) in Pahalgam and in Sonamargh livestock rearing
was 27.5% and other services 8.33% as primary occupation. Majority of ponywallas in Pahalgam (74.16%) and in
Sonamargh (65%) were in the income group of  ````` 11,000–20,000/month. About 26.25% from Sonamargh significantly
more than Pahalgam region (11.67%) were falling in the income group with monthly income below ` 10,000. Thus
it was concluded that the ponywallas in both the regions were illiterate with a very low land-holding and reared
equines to sustain their livelihood but the rearing methods were mostly unscientific so they require attention from
concerned authorities.