Who is Van Gujjars?
Van Gujjars are transhumant pastoralists in the newly formed state of Uttarakhand. There are 2,000 families whose buffalo herds graze in the forest areas for their livelihoods.
Where do the Van Gujjars live?
Van Gujjars are nomadic buffalo-herders inhabiting the foothills of Himalayan states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
What do Van Gujjars wear?
The women wear printed, long- sleeved salwar kameez. These are usually made of bright colours. Every member of tribe keeps their heads covered. Men with topis and women with dupattas.
Are Gujjars nomads?
They are a pastoral semi-nomadic community, practising transhumance. In the winter season, the Van Gurjars migrate with herds of semi-wild water buffalo to the Shivalik Hills at the foot of the Himalayas, and in summer, they migrate to alpine pastures higher up the Himalayas.
How did Gujjars become rich?
The Gujjars traditionally kept cattle and sold milk. Now there’s new wealth in the hands of a few even though much of the community remains poor, landless and uneducated. The Gujjar minority is having a blast.
What do Van Gujjars eat?
Buffalo milk
Buffalo milk is the main (and often only) source of income and the staple food for the Van Gujjars. With the well-being of every Van Gujjar family being completely dependent on the well-being of its herd, it’s no wonder that caring for the water buffaloes is the axis around which the tribe’s world revolves.
Who is the richest Gurjar in India?
At Present The Richest Gurjar Of India is Chaudhry Shri Ved Prakash Panwar(Surname is Lohiya) From Aaya Nagar New Delhi. He is one of the biggest real estate Shark in New Delhi. His property is in Billions as per the rough estimates. Many other Gurjars are there with the property of over 1000 Crores each.
Who are khatana by caste?
Khatana (Gujari:खटाना) is a Gotra (lineage/clan) among the Gurjars. [1] It was one of the ruling clans of the Gurjars. According to Bards of Gurjars, the area beyond Kashmir in earlier period was called as Khattan in India. There is a place Khotan in Xinjiang.
Who are the Van Gujjars?
Barefoot botanists, the Van Gujjars also know each plant and herb in and around their forest dwellings. When the cold sets in at the end of September, the Van Gujjars head back down to the Shivaliks, where the forests have sprung back to life following the monsoon rains.
How does the Van Gujjar family interact with the animals?
Each member in a Van Gujjar family has a well-defined role (based on age) with the animals: the adults walk with big buffaloes and horses while the children follow at a slower pace with the calves.
What are the challenges facing the Van Gujjars?
But things are changing now with the Van Gujjars facing serious challenges to their livelihoods, most of them stemming from a lack of forest rights, unrecognised domicile rights, illiteracy, and poverty. In recent years, many high altitude forest passes have become paved roads with heavy traffic, making walking with buffaloes hazardous.