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Van Gujjar people
وان گجر
Taukeer Alam a Van Gujjar
Total population
Uttarakhand 70,000[1][2][3][4] (estimation)
Regions with significant populations
India Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Western Uttar Pradesh
Languages
Van Gujjari, Pahadi, Urdu,[5] Hindi[5]
Religion
Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Gaddis • Bakarwal • Muslim Gujjars

The Van Gujjars ("forest Gurjars") are a Van Gujjari-speaking nomadic Muslim ethnic group and a sub-tribe of the larger Gurjar community.[6][7][8][9] They are traditionally herders and live mainly in the Shivalik Hills region of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Western Uttar Pradesh.[10] They follow Islam and are traditionally a pastoral semi-nomadic community, known for practicing transhumance.[11] Van Gujjars started adopting Islam between the 13th and 14th centuries, with Sufi teachings playing a significant role in their conversion.[9]

Historically, they were referred to as Jammuwallahs, or Dudh Gujjars by others, but they simply identified themselves as Gujjars.[9]

Van Gujjars migrate with herds of semi-wild water buffaloes to the Shivalik Hills at the foot of the Himalayas in winter and migrate to the alpine pastures higher up the Himalayas in summer. Van Gujjars are known to be lactovegetarians due to sole dependence on animal-herding and milk delivery as a livelihood opportunity.[12][13]

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

Since the British Raj, annual grazing permits have been issued to family or clan leaders of the Van Gujjar community, delineating specific are made by compartments for each group's use. Main decisions regarding these compartments and migration patterns are made by the family head, ensuring effective management of resources.[14]

Van Gujjars' presence is documented in British-era forest department records, dating back to their takeover of the Doon Valley following the 1814-1815 Anglo-Gurkha War. This marked a formal acknowledgement of the Van Gujjars' presence and limited rights as forest inhabitants, with the British incorporating their management into forestry practices, underscoring their pre-colonial habitation in the Doon valley of Uttarakhand.[15]

The state's emphasis on fixed borders and territories inherently conflicts with the Van Gujjars' nomadic way of life. A notable example of this discord is the 1865 British Forest Act, which stripped indigenous communities of their ancestral lands.[1] Decades after Indian independence, the narrative remains unchanged.[16]: 243  The Forest Department of Uttarkhand's biased perspective continues to verify the Van Gujjars, subjecting them to abuse and rights violations, with their traditional pastoral lifestyle misconstrued as a threat to conservation.[1]

In a historical account from 1870, British forester Sainthill Eardley-Wilmot portrayed the Van Gujjars as a nomadic tribe with a deep connection to the forest, traveling the Himalayas seasonally. Despite noting their cultural differences, Wilmot's description suggests a certain admiration for their way of Life.[17]

British officer Williams' 1874 notes confirm the Van Gujjars migration to the Doon Valley of Uttarakhand in the 18th century. Further historical documents from the British forestry officials support the notion that the Van Gujjars have a deep-rooted history in the region of Doon Valley.[18]: 9 

Their nomadic lifestyle, devoid of permanent homes of farmland, set them apart and made it easy for the colonial state to view them as outsiders. Their no settled way of life deviated from the states expectations , facilitating their marginalization. In January 1885, an order from the North-Western Province showed their complex relationship with the British Raj.[9] One such order was as follows:

All Gujars and other wandering herdsmen are warned that for the ensuing year, only 150 heads of buffaloes will be allowed to graze in the Jaunsari, Tehri Garhwal, Raimgarh and Dadi partitions of the Jaunsar Division.[9]

British colonial records indicate that the Van Gujjars moved Shivalik hills in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh in mid or the late 19th century, driven by forest restrictions and population growth in Punjab. As they expanded eastward, they occupied the rugged terrain spanning Uttar Pradesh to Uttarakhand, including the Rajaji National Park forest area in Uttarakhand. The British Government soon appointed an official to identify and demarcate forests with valuable timber reserves in the region.[19]

Post-colonial history

[edit]

Van Gujjars face systemic marginalization due to the British-era forest policy, which is rooted in an exclusionary approach to the environment. Their dual identity as Muslims and indigenous people makes them particularly vulnerable. Unlike other indigenous Indian Tribes, Van Gujjars have been unable to secure Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, likely due to their religious identity in a society marked by communal and ethnic divisions. Limited access to basic rights, such as domicile, advocacy opportunities, and education further exacerbates their marginalization.[18]: 19 

According to a report by the National Human Rights Commission of India, Van Gujjars residing in the Rajaji National Park area are subjected to harassment and abuse by Uttarakhand Forest Department's officials and staff members.[18]: 9 

In Himachal Pradesh a significant proportion of Van Gujjars lack homes and land ownership. As per a 1983 report by the Himachal Pradesh government, a staggering 88.17% of Van Gujjars are landless, with no property to build a permanent dwelling.[20]: 1620 

The Shivalik range's partnership with the Indian army dates back to the 1980s, yet the state's efforts to evict the Van Gujjars from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Forests persist. The Van Gujjars distrust the forest department, seeing it as a mechanism to justify displacement under the pretext of conservation or progress. This distrust is compounded by the claim of the Indian Forest Department that 25,000 hectares are vacant, despite being home to 1,800 Van Gujjar families.[21]

A non-governmental organization (NGO) highlighted that the Uttar Pradesh Government had recommended Scheduled Tribe status for the Van Gujjars in 1994. The state government's letter to the National Government of India was in response to the NGO'S advocacy efforts, which aimed to secure ST status for the Van Gujjars residing in Uttar Pradesh's forests. Despite the efforts, Van Gujjar community still awaits recognition as a Scheduled tribe.[22]

Though the Indian Forest Rights Act of 2006 grants them forest land rights for being "traditional forest dwellers", they experience conflicts with the local state forest authorities that prohibit human and livestock populations inside reserved parks.[23][24] Due to their Muslim identity they have often been targeted by the authorities of Uttarakhand Forest Department, and they've been subjected to numerous incorrect eviction notices, forced evictions, and other illegal actions by the forest department.[1][18]: 16 [25]

Van Gujjars' displacement was first attempted in 1985, and they faced ongoing pressure to vacate the forest land in subsequent years. To resist eviction, the community represented by the Ban Gujjar Kalyan Samiti, took their case to the Uttarakhand High Court in 2005. In 2008 court issued a contempt notice to the director of RajaJi National Park for failing to settle the community's forest rights under the 2006 Forest Right Act.[26]

Further displacement orders were issued by Uttarakhand's government in 2011 and 2017, affecting specific Van Gujjar families within the areas. A 2018 high court's ruling declared the Van Gujjars' presence in forest land unlawful, sparking widespread protest due to the lack of rehabilitation provisions. Later that year Supreme Court of India intervened, staying the High court's eviction order. In 2020, forest officials clashed with Van Gujjar families during a confrontation in the Asharodi Forest Ranges and they used physical force against the community members, women and arrested several individuals. The Uttarakhand High Court directed the state government to establish a committee to address issues of Van Gujjars.[26]

Meanwhile, the Van Gujjar Tribal Yuva Sangathan pursued recognition under the 2006 Forest Right Act and submitted claims to the SDM office, seeking ST status for the community in 2022. In 2023 A Van Gujjar organization Van Panchayat Sangharsh Morcha contest eviction notices. In May 2023 Uttarkhand's forest department acknowledged their mistakes in the eviction notices they issued to Van Gujjars.[27][26]

2023 flood in Uttarakhand's Haridwar district ravaged the Naouki settlement of the Van Gujjars, with nine out of 100 homes destroyed due to early and intense rainfall. The Van Gujjars attribute the severity of the damage to the retaining walls constructed by the NHAI for the Char Dham highway project, which they believe exacerbated the impact of the floodwaters. But NHAI's usual consideration of area to mitigate flood damage, the Naouki settlement was overlooked due to its unofficial status. The settlement isn't mentioned on official waps because the Forest Department doesn't recognize the Van Gujjars as permanent residents, leaving them excluded from protection and rights.[28]

Etymology and origin

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

The term Van Gujjar, is a combination of two Van Gujjari words "van" and "Gujjar", translating to "forest-dwelling" "Gujjars". The community added the prefix "van" in the 1980s to distinguish itself from other Gujjars, particularly the Hindu Gujjars of north western India, historically, the Van Gujjars were referred to by various names, including Jammuwallahs and Dudh Gujjars, while within their own community, they simply identified as Gujjars.[9]

Origin

[edit]

The Van Gujjars are believed to have originally migrated from the Kashmir region, passing through Sirmaur before settling in the Bhabar tracts of the Shivalik Hills approximately 1,500 years ago.[9] They further traces their origins back to the Gurjara Kingdom, which dates back to 570 CE in what is now Rajasthan, North India.[29]

Traditionally forest-dwelling pastoralists, they adopted the prefix "Van"—meaning "forest"—to distinguish themselves from other Gujjar communities. However, many who have recently settled in villages have since dropped the "Van" and now refer to themselves simply as "Gujjars."[9][30]

Demographics

[edit]

The Van Gujjars are a forest-dwelling, pastoral Muslim community primarily residing in the Himalayan and Sivalik foothills of northern India. They are traditionally found around the Himalayan states such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.[10]

Uttarakhand

[edit]

In Uttarakhand, Van Gujjars are primarily found in the southern districts, particularly Nainital and Dehradun. They traditionally migrate with their buffalo herds through forested regions and have longstanding seasonal routes between winter and summer pastures within the state.[31]

Himachal Pradesh

[edit]

In Himachal Pradesh, Van Gujjars are predominantly located in the southern and northern districts. Key areas of settlement include Kangra, Bilaspur, Sirmour, Shimla, and Chamba. Their presence in the state is characterised by transhumant pastoralism and a deep dependence on forest resources for livelihood and cultural practices.[32]

Western Uttar Pradesh

[edit]

In Western Uttar Pradesh their settlements are mostly found in the Chapdi range of the Sivalik forest located near the Saharanpur, Bijnor, Rampur, and Pilibhit district.[33][34][35] From 2002 to 2023, it is reported that 50 or more families of Van Gujjars were killed by the illegal firing of the Asan Field Firing Range of the Indian army. Because of such firing, the Van Gujjars repeatedly requested the administration of Saharanpur district for the settlements and relocation of the Van Gujjars from the Shivalik Hills to mainland areas of the district, but the district administration didn't hear their demands.[35]

Religion

[edit]

The Van Gujjars are completely Muslim and adhere to the Sunni sect of Islam, similar to other Muslim Gujjar communities such as the Bakarwals.[36][37]

It is believed they converted to Islam through Sufism in the 13th to 14th centuries during the Turkish rule in India.[38]

The Van Gujjars Have not maintained ties with their Hindu Gujjar counterparts in Uttar Pradesh and have lost contact with their kin in Jammu and Kashmir. However, they continue to have martial relationships with the Muslim Gujjars of Himachal Pradesh.[39]: 108 [40]

Clans

[edit]

They share similar clans with Gujjars, Muslim Gujjars and Bakarwals. Some of their notable clans include.[41]

Culture and traditions

[edit]
Taukeer Alam sharing the Van Gujjar wedding rituals and clothings in Van Gujjari

Van Gujjars adhere to Islamic law, which doesn't restrict family planning. But, their nomadic lifestyle, dependence on herding, and women's physical demands likely contribute to limited birth rates. Divorce is rare among Van Gujjars families. They use local Panchayat system to resolve disputes and marital issues.[42]

The Van Gujjar community specializes in rearing a unique, indigenous breed of wild buffalos, designated as "Gojri" or "Gujari".[14][43]

Attire

[edit]

Van Gujjar women typically don vibrant long-sleeved Salwar kameez outfits adorned with prints. A distinctive aspect of their attire is the emphasis on covering their heads using dupattas. This practice of head covering extends to children as well, who dress similarly to the adults.[44]

The Men of the Van Gujjar community wear a traditional embroidery cap called "Topi" in cultural events and rituals.[45]

Kinship

[edit]

Both men and women of Van Gujjar community are deeply invested in their animals, which play a significant role in determining relationships.[42] Van Gujjar community's fundamental social unit is the family, typically comprising a father and his son, along with their buffaloes. These families often cluster together in settlements, forming kinship-based groups that share a common ancestry.[14]

Marriages

[edit]

Among the Van Gujjar community, monogamy is the prevalent practice, with polygamy being uncommon. Additionally, due to limited education and strong religious convictions, they tend to oppose family planning measures.[46][47]

The Van Gujjar marriages showcase distinct customs that set them apart from other Muslim communities of Northern India. A unique aspect of their wedding rituals is the mehndi ceremony, where both men and women adorn their hands with simple traditional henna designs. Notably, these celebrations often span several days, accommodating guests who travel from far to attend. Furthermore, it's customary for the groom's family to gift the newlyweds a buffalo, symbolizing their prosperity. This and other practices reflect the strong communal ties that characterize the Van Gujjar society.[5]

In wedding ceremonies Van Gujjar brides wear exquisite silver ornaments, including chains, Sargast, Gani, Mahail, Dolara, Bangles, rings and earrings. Each piece of jewelry carries significant meaning, reflecting the community's cultural and social traditions.[48]: 6 

Gender status

[edit]

In Van Gujjar society, women stand on an equal footing with men. They take charge during migrations, with elder women leading the way and handling important interactions with authorities. This shift has empowered them, transforming their roles from supportive followers to key leaders within migratory groups. Van women have also been receptive to modern family planning methods in government programs.[49]: 10 

Food

[edit]

Van Gujjars' traditional diet centers around chappatis made from wheat or maize flour, often served with potatoe or onion curry,and occasionally lentil curry. While some community members enjoy homegrown vegetables, meat is typically reserved for special occasions. Notably, they refrain from slaughtering their own buffaloes for meals.[39]: 111 — 112 [50] In terms of habits, they tend to avoid alcohol but have a notable fondness for cigarettes, tobacco, and betel leaf.[39]: 111 — 112 

Van Gujjars follows a predominantly vegetarian diet, with dairy products playing a central role.[46] Their daily meals frequently feature yogurt, lassi, kheer, desi ghee, butter, and Paneer, all derived from milk.[39]: 111 — 112 

Like Hindu Gujjars, they also neither slaughter nor sell their buffaloes for meat.[23]

Dera

[edit]

Van Gujjars resides in traditional dwellings known as "Deras", which are often clustered in small groups or scattered across the forest landscape. These homes are remarkably well-maintained and clean, featuring large, thatched huts with conical roofs supported by study wooden poles.[51]

The animal shelters are separate from the living areas, featuring sturdy wooden frames that support thatched roofs and protect the livestock from wild animals at night. Some Deras have mud walls, and wealthier families may have an additional thatched huts that serves as a gathering space, furnished with numerous cots.[51]

Art and craft

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Bead jewelery

[edit]

Bead jewelery making is an important craft practiced by the Van Gujjars. The tribal handicraft centers have enabled them to create a range of products, from decorative pieces of functional items like cattle ropes and grass brooms. This show case their exceptional craftsmanship and artistic flair, where everyday objects are transformed into works of art. A total of five such handcraft centers have been established in Uttarakhand to support this initiative.[48]: 4 — 7 

Examining the Van Gujjar women's tradition of bead jewellery making through a feminist lens offers a deeper understanding of their cultural practices and roles. Jewelry has a long history, and among the Van Gujjars, it makes sense that they favor lightweight and portable adornments. Van women mostly wear bead jewelery, which may have roots in pre-Islamic traditions.[48]: 6 

Kaintha jewelry

[edit]

The Van Gujjar women have masterfully woven beadwork into their traditional adornments, such as the vibrant Kaintha jewelry. This craft not only showcases their creativity and identity and also serves as a vital connection to their heritage, enriching Uttarkhand's cultural diversity. Young Van Gujjar girls, take great interest in crafting intricate Kaintha pieces, experimenting with colorful beads and patterns. The artful selection and blending of beads are essential to creating Kaintha jewelry.[48]: 8 

Festivals

[edit]

The Van Gujjars observe all major Islamic festivals, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ramadan, Eid Milad un-Nabi, and Muharram, in line with broader Muslim traditions.

Sela Parv

[edit]

Sela Parv or the green festival is a special festival of the Van Gujjar community that they celebrate every year from July 20 to 30 in three North Indian states: Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.In Gujjari language "Sela" means green and "parv" means feast day. Sela Parv is a festival that combines tree plantations with cultural festivities, showcasing their profound connection to nature.[52][53]

Population

[edit]

The Van Gujjar community's population figures have not been documented in any Indian census reports yet.[38] According to CFM (City Forest Management plan) for Dehradun, the Van Gujjar population in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, was around 3,072 in 1931, growing to approximately 5,500 by 1991.[54]

The total population of Van Gujjars in Uttarakhand state is approximately reached to 70,000.[1][2][3][4]

Classification

[edit]

The Social status of the Van Gujjars varies by location; In Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir they are classified as Scheduled Tribes (ST).[5][55]

In states like Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh they are classified as Other Backward classes (OBC).[14][5]

The Van Gujjar community in Uttarakhand made a demand in March 2013 for Scheduled Tribe (ST) recognition, giving the state government a one-month deadline to issue a resolution in their favor, but their demand is still not accepted by the state government.[56]

Relocation

[edit]

The Uttarakhand Of Government relocated around 1,200 Van Gujjar families from the Corbet and RajaJi Tiger reserves. Breaking it down, 181 families from the Jim Corbett National Park received land and other facilities as promised, while 84 families didn't get anything. Another 154 families only got land, but no other facilities. Meanwhile, 878 families from Rajaji National Park were shifted to Gaindi Khata in Uttarakhand.[57]

Nearly 1,393 Van Gujjar families were relocated from the RajaJi National Park to Gaindi Khata about 15 years ago, yet around 1,610 families remain living inside the National Park.[26]

Economy

[edit]

The economy of the Van Gujjars revolves around livestock, forest resources, and the sale of milk and dairy products. They convert most of their milk into butter and ghee due to limited market access in the high-altitude areas, selling these products to traders as they descend to the foothills. Their economy heavily relies on milk production, dairy products and providing high-quality indigenous buffalo offspring to local people in Uttarakhand.[49]: 1 — 4 

Literacy rate and education

[edit]

The Van Gujjar community faces significant educational challenges, with nearly three-quarters (74.12%) of the population being illiterate. Only a small fraction (23.13%) have completed primary education, and the dropout rate is alarming high. The nomadic lifestyle of Van Gujjars is characterized by frequent migration between summer and winter pastures (often 50-300 km apart), making it very difficult for children to access consistent, quality education, contributing to low enrollment and high dropout rates.[20]: 1623 

In 2015 to 2016 the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act enabled the establishment of Non-Residential Special Training Centers in select Van Gujjars settlements, including Kunau Chaud, to provide formal education to children of the Van community.[58]

Politics

[edit]

Van Gujjars are increasingly asserting their political presence, with their voting power and influence growing. Local village leaders now prioritize issues of Van Gujjars. In a recent Panchayat election in Uttar Pradesh, a Van Gujjar candidate, Abdul Kareem ran alongside 12 others in the Geneshpur Mohand village Panchayat. Van Gujjar community enthusiastically campaigned for their candidate, and although their candidate didn't win, they gained valuable experience from the election process.[59]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "In Uttarakhand, Van Gujjars Battle Decades of Silencing as State Pushes Them to the Brink". The Wire. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b Bhalla, Vineet (18 April 2024). "Ground report: Why this Muslim nomadic tribe in Uttarakhand has little to gain from elections". Scroll.in. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b Hamilton-Jones, Phoebe; Gabrys, Jennifer; Westerlaken, Michelle (2024). COMMUNITY-LED FOREST TECHNOLOGIES: A SMART FORESTS INTERIM REPORT. UK: University of Cambridge. p. 44. The Van Gujjars, who identify as Indigenous to South Asia, follow Islam and practice transhumance and semi-nomadic activities in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Within Uttarakhand, where this case study is located, about 70,000 Van Gujjars are spread out across various constituencies in forested landscapes.
  4. ^ a b Kumar, Satyam (24 December 2022). "The forest is calling, but Van Gujjars cannot return". daijiworld.com. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e Adamson, Michael (Mukund) Dean (4 June 2024). "Culture, Environment & Education: Learnings from my Time in the Van Gujjar Basti". AIF. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  6. ^ Karlsson, Bengt T.; Subba, T. B. (28 October 2013). Indigeneity In India. Routledge. p. 105. ISBN 978-1-136-21922-1. At that time the Van Gujjars were still (at least) officially just part of a large fuzzy, ethnic group of Muslim Gujjars.
  7. ^ Madsen, Stig Toft (16 December 2013). State, Society and the Environment in South Asia. Routledge. pp. 78–103. ISBN 978-1-136-79785-9.
  8. ^ Karlsson, B. G. (19 November 2013). Contested Belonging: An Indigenous People's Struggle for Forest and Identity in Sub-Himalayan Bengal. Routledge. pp. 141–295. ISBN 978-1-136-82753-2.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Srivastava, Raghav (24 October 2022). "The making of pastoralisms: An account of the Gaddis and Van Gujjars in the Indian Himalaya". Pastoralism. 12 (1) 42. Bibcode:2022Pasto..12...42S. doi:10.1186/s13570-022-00259-z. ISSN 2041-7136. PMC 9590384. PMID 36311345.
  10. ^ a b Gujjar, Rahim Bhatti (1 January 2025). "The Gujjar People: An Ethnohistorical and Linguistic Survey with a Focus on Central Asian Origins and Gojri's Hindko Affinities". Independent.
  11. ^ Radhakrishna Rao (4 September 2000). "Outside the jungle book". The Hindu Business Line. Archived from the original on 28 May 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  12. ^ Tandon, Aditi (28 May 2021). "Van Gujjars: People of the forest or nowhere?". Mongabay-India. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  13. ^ Rahi, Dr Javaid (1 January 2018). "The GUJJARS Vol -04 History and Culture of Gujjar Tribe : Ed. Dr. Javaid Rahi". The Gujjars Vol 04.
  14. ^ a b c d "Traditional Governance Systems of the Van Gujjars in Uttarakhand (India)". Radical Ecological Democracy. 9 July 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  15. ^ Pradeep, Singh (29 May 2020). "Van Gujjars, the "Lesser People"". bygonedoon.com. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  16. ^ Pernile, Gooch (October 2009). "Victims of Conservation or Rights as Forest Dwellers Van Gujjar Pastoralists between Contesting Codes of Law". Journal of Conservation and Society. 07 (4): 239. doi:10.4103/0972-4923.65171.
  17. ^ Hornborg, Alf; Clark, Brett; Hermele, Kenneth (19 June 2013). Ecology and Power: Struggles over Land and Material Resources in the Past, Present and Future. Routledge. p. 1975. ISBN 978-1-136-33528-0.
  18. ^ a b c d Muhammed, Faheem M. P. (30 September 2020). "Culture Communication and Colonial Forest Policy: Van Gujjar Marginalization and Struggle for Forest Rights". International Journal of Multidisciplinary Educational Research. doi:10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.13128326.V1.
  19. ^ Paquet, Pierre-Alexandre; Kuroyedov, Elizabeth (1 January 2021). "Everyday Forest Rights: Claiming Territories and Pastoral Livelihoods in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India". Conservation and Society. 19 (4). Medknow: 240. doi:10.4103/CS.CS_20_123. ISSN 0972-4923 – via Department of Anthropology, University College London, London, UK.
  20. ^ a b Singh, Jitender; Bhandari, Dr. Rajan (2022). "Problems and Challenges in Transhumance as a Livelihood Strategy: A Case Study of Van-Gujjar in Upper Yamuna Basin" (PDF). International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation. 7 (7): 1620–1623 – via ijrti.org.
  21. ^ Mehra, Neharika (16 August 2022). "UP: Van Gujjars Seek Protection Under FRA as Govt Serves Vacation Notices".
  22. ^ "UP govt favoured ST tag for Van Gujjars in '94, claims NGO". The Times of India. 3 June 2007. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  23. ^ a b Michael Benanav (2018). Himalaya Bound: One Family's Quest to Save Their Animals - and an Ancient Way of Life. Pegasus Books.
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  25. ^ Hamilton-Jones, Phoebe; Gabrys, Jennifer; Westerlaken, Michelle (2024). COMMUNITY-LED FOREST TECHNOLOGIES: A SMART FORESTS INTERIM REPORT. UK: University of Cambridge. p. 71. The Van Gujjars, who are viewed by the state as encroachers on forest land, face political marginalisation due to their Muslim, nomadic identity.
  26. ^ a b c d "Van Gujjars in Uttarakhand Fight for Legal Recognition of Forest Rights | Pauri Garhwal,Uttarakhand". landconflictwatch.org. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  27. ^ maniyar, zahid (5 June 2023). "U'khand Forest Dept admits faults in eviction notices issued to Van Gujjars". CJP. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  28. ^ "Highway to the danger zone: The Char Dham project and the Van Gujjars". India Development Review. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  29. ^ Nighoskar, Devyani. "'Guests in our own homes': The forest tribe of India's Himalayas". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  30. ^ Lapinski, Valerie (7 October 2009). "Showcase: Traveling With the Van Gujjar Tribe". Lens Blog. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  31. ^ Seshia, Shaila (2005). Traditional Wisdom in Natural Resource Management: The Only Way to Conserve. Rural Litigation & Entitlement Kendra. p. 13.
  32. ^ Pathways: In Search of Exemplary Practices on Environment and Sustainable Development in Asia. Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement for the International Conference of Asian Foundations and Organizations. 2000. p. 37. ISBN 978-971-8817-18-6.
  33. ^ "Van Gujjar Traditional Jewellery". theridhisidhi.in. 29 May 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  34. ^ maniyar, zahid (17 April 2021). "Bullets and bureaucracy: Van Gujjars of Shivalik hills are caught in the crosshairs". CJP. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  35. ^ a b Usmani, Sharjeel. "Jungle Raj: Indian Army Accused Of Killing Van Gujjars During Illegal Use Of Firing Range In Shivalik Forest - The Polis Project". Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  36. ^ Rana, J. P. Singh (1998). Marriage and Customs of Tribes of India. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 88. ISBN 978-81-7533-087-0. Van Gujjars are Sunni Muslims, as might be expected from their origins.
  37. ^ Seshia, Shaila (2005). Traditional Wisdom in Natural Resource Management: The Only Way to Conserve. Rural Litigation & Entitlement Kendra. p. 38.
  38. ^ a b Srivastava, Raghav (2022). "The making of pastoralisms: An account of the Gaddis and Van Gujjars in the Indian Himalaya". Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice. 12 (1) 42. Bibcode:2022Pasto..12...42S. doi:10.1186/s13570-022-00259-z. ISSN 2041-7136. PMC 9590384. PMID 36311345.
  39. ^ a b c d Rawat, Ajay Singh (1993). Man and Forests: The Khatta and Gujjar Settlements of Sub-Himalayan Tarai. Indus Publishing. ISBN 978-81-85182-97-1.
  40. ^ Sitaram, Kasana (October 2020). "Sustainable Livelihood and Resilience of the Van Gujjars" (PDF). International Journal of Rural Development, Environment and Health Research (IJREH). 04 (5): 213. doi:10.22161/ijreh.4.5.6 (inactive 30 September 2025). ISSN 2456-8678. The Van Gujjars of Uttarakhand closely related to the Muslim Gujjars of H.P. (Himachal Pradesh) whom they met during the summer migration. The Gujjars of H.P. are like family to them, and the two groups have been known to intermarry.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of September 2025 (link)
  41. ^ a b c d Pathways: In Search of Exemplary Practices on Environment and Sustainable Development in Asia. Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement for the International Conference of Asian Foundations and Organizations. 2000. p. 37. ISBN 978-971-8817-18-6. Van Gujjars have many clans such as the Kushan (Kasana), Chechi, and Lodha.
  42. ^ a b Rana, J. P. Singh (1998). Marriage and Customs of Tribes of India. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 91. ISBN 978-81-7533-087-0.
  43. ^ Usmani, Sharjeel. "Van Gujjars Trapped In A Cycle Of Debt And Dependence". Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  44. ^ Zuha, Junaidi (19 September 2019). "A Day in the Life of Van Gujjars". CJP. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  45. ^ Karlsson, Bengt T.; Subba, T. B. (28 October 2013). Indigeneity In India. Routledge. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-136-21922-1. One detail that is interesting for identity formation was the symbolic importance of the embroidered cap, topi, traditionally used by Van Gujjar men.
  46. ^ a b Jain, Shobhita; Bala, Madhu (2006). The Economics and Politics of Resettlement in India. Pearson Education India. p. 228. ISBN 978-81-317-0092-1.
  47. ^ Samal, Prasana K. (1998). Tribal Development: Options : Proceedings of a National Seminar, May 22-24, 1996. Gyanodaya Prakashan. pp. 516 _ 519. ISBN 978-81-85097-41-1.
  48. ^ a b c d Dhaundiyal, Dhriti; Dangwal, Surekha (8 January 2024). "Ethnographic Insights into Bead Jewellery Traditions of the Women of the Van Gujjar Community of Uttarakhand" (PDF). Chitrolekha Journal on Art and Design. 18 (12024). doi:10.21659/cjad.81.v8n103. ISSN 2456-978X.
  49. ^ a b Nusrat, Rubina; Pattanaik, B.K.; Farooqui, Nehal A. "Adaptation and Coexistence of Van Gujjars in the Forests: A Success Story". dlc.dlib.indiana.edu. pp. 1–10.
  50. ^ Khazanov, Anatoly M.; Schlee, Günther (1 August 2012). Who Owns the Stock?: Collective and Multiple Property Rights in Animals. Berghahn Books. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-85745-336-5.
  51. ^ a b Rawat, Ajay Singh (1993). Man and Forests: The Khatta and Gujjar Settlements of Sub-Himalayan Tarai. Indus Publishing. p. 109. ISBN 978-81-85182-97-1.
  52. ^ Mulay, Radhika (23 September 2025). "Sela Parv: Van Gujjars Celebrate Forest, Culture & Solidarity". Kalpavriksh. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  53. ^ "Van Gujjar tribe plans annual tree plantation drive to keep forests green". SabrangIndia. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  54. ^ Society, Bombay Natural History (1999). The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. Bombay Natural History Society. p. 129. The CFM plan seeks to circumvent the trauma of forcefull eviction that the Van Gujjars otherwise face. The book highlights the population trends in the area and points out that the Van Gujjars have been unjustifiably accused of breeding like rabbits. The Van Gujjar population has shown a marginal increase from approximately 3072 in 1931 to about 5500 at present, while the population of Dehradun district has multiplied roughly four times between 1941 and 1991.
  55. ^ "Van Gujjars help conserve forests, but are deprived of rights | Climate-Diplomacy". climate-diplomacy.org. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  56. ^ Press Trust of India. "Van Gujjars of Uttarakhand demand ST status". Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  57. ^ Shankar, Priyanka (29 June 2023). "[Commentary] A decade after relocation, the lives of Van Gujjars still lack stability and security". Mongabay-India. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  58. ^ "Trying to make the grade in a Van Gujjar basti". People's Archive of Rural India. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  59. ^ Rathi, Amit. "National Seminar On Two Decades of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (Panchayat Raj): Experiences, Issues, Challenges and Opportunities with Special Reference to Uttar Pradesh" (PDF). pp. 9–10.

Bibliography

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