17-year-old Khadeeja Bibi (R) says that Misha Bano, 16 (L) is one of her best friends in the village. Within the forest deras; Van Gujjar families are quite close-knit. Misha Bano says that it is the conversations had with friends that are the most joyous parts of their day-especially after a tiring day of work.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by: Ramzana, age - 15yrs

‘We love climbing trees, sometimes for fun, sometimes to collect sweet leaves for the calves and twigs.’ Effortless climbers[From L to R]: Khadeeja Bibi, Ramzana, Misha Bano, Reshma
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Devyani, age - 25yrs

“Usually we wear our dupattas loosely over our heads. But while working and doing domestic chores, we tie it up tightly, so that the drapes don’t get into our way,” says 30-year-old Bano, as she prepares fodder for her cattle.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Misha Bano, age - 16yrs

“There are no toilets in the forest village deras. We usually go relieve ourselves in the forest. Baths are had in the river or in a small extension of the hut [ as seen in this photograph]” says Bano.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Bano, 30.

Most Van Gujjars do not have traditional furniture or closets. They usually store all their items in trunks stacked against the walls in their huts. In this photograph Bano looks for some documents.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Khadeeja Bibi, age - 17yrs.

Ramzana and Reshma stack up firewood for the approaching winter months. “Most Van Gujjar families venture out in the woods to collect fallen wooden logs, twigs and branches to be used as firewood for various household purposes, such as cooking,” says Ramzana.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Misha Bano, age - 16yrs

“Come with us to the Ganga river banks. We go there almost everyday: to swim, bathe, wash clothes or simply hang-out,” says Reshma as she gets into the river with Ramzana. The secluded and tranquil river beach is only a 10-minute-walk through the forest from the Van Gujjar deras in Gori Range.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Misha Bano, age - 16yrs

“Forests can get chilly in the evening. Van Gujjar women usually purchase materials from nearby markets and stitch their own warm blankets. It takes several days to make one,” says Nek Bibi, photographed.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Reshma, age - 18yrs

Julekha prepares lunch for her family: a pot of rice, hot daal and some butter milk. The three are staple to the Van Gujjar diet. In the mornings and evenings, they also have chapatis.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Khadeeja, age - 16yrs and Misha Bano, age 17yrs

Julekha prepares lunch for her family: a pot of rice, hot daal and some butter milk. The three are staple to the Van Gujjar diet. In the mornings and evenings, they also have chapatis.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Khadeeja, age - 16yrs and Misha Bano, age 17yrs

In Early October 2021, there were orders to cut thousands of trees in this region to pave the way for a highway leading to Delhi. The Van Gujjars, collaborated with some civil societies and NGOs in the region. They took inspiration from the famous Chipko movement; and hugged the trees to show their resistance and prevent them from being cut.
Location: Mohand, Uttar Pradesh | Photographed by Aftab, VGTYS

Climate change has warmed the forests; which affects the health of Van Gujjar's cattle; especially buffaloes. They are often taken for a dip in the cool river.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Misha Bano, age - 16yrs

“Van Gujjar community has been migrating from one forest area to another forest area by doing animal husbandry since the time of kings. The permits of Loping and Grazing have been issued to them by the Forest Department. The tree’s life is increased by cutting the branch and the chances of it falling in a thunderstorm are greatly reduced. The Van Gujjar community doesn’t cut the upper parts of the tree as that part contains the seeds. Some of the fallen branches when mixed with the animal dung rejuvenates the soil in the rain; eventually making the forest denser, “ says Ameer Hamza.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by : Aisha, age - 19yrs

“The Van Gujjars breed a special gojri breed known as the Jhotta,” says Ghumman Chauhan. Gojri breed is a special breed which is not yet registered in Uttarakhand. Specific male called Jhotta or Baangaru are maintained for perpetuating the breed.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Ameer Hamja, age - 25yrs

“I am lifting a ‘Mugdar’, it's a heavy stone weighing 35kgs. This is a form of exercise for us. We even have inter-dera competitions in bala lifting,” says Rafi.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Khadeeja, age - 17yrs

“No matter where we are or what is happening in the world, Van Gujjars rest in the afternoons for at least an hour after lunch. This is because we wake up at 4 to take our animals out in the forest,” says Rafi.
Location: Gori Range, Rishikesh | Photographed by Khadeeja, age - 17yrs

Having lived in the forests for generations the Van Gujjars are well aware of the various flora and fauna in the region; medical benefits of each plant as well as the different birds in the area. The VGTYS is training Van Gujjar youth in formal birding techniques in hopes to create more employment opportunities in tourism and wildlife departments.
Photograph courtesy of Van Gujjar Tribal Yuva Sangathan