Before she spoke at government offices, Jamuna knew the forest through its seasons. She understood where buffalo could graze after the monsoon, which paths…
Articles
From forest trails to a stronger community voice
Legal safeguards for pastoral grazing in protected areas
Pastoral communities have long moved livestock across forests, grasslands, river valleys, and mountain corridors. In Uttarakhand, Van Gujjar buffalo herders…
The Van Gujjar calendar: seasonal activities and festivals
For Van Gujjar communities, time is closely connected to forests, grasslands, livestock, weather, and family decisions. The annual cycle is shaped by the…
SOPHIA’s Annual Report Highlights: Achievements and Challenges
SOPHIA’s annual reporting offers a useful view of how rights-based development works with Van Gujjar and Himalayan village communities. Its work connects…
Buffalo Milk And Cow Milk: Comparing Their Nutritional Value
Milk plays an important role in household nutrition across the Himalayan foothills. For Van Gujjar families and village communities, buffalo husbandry can…
Eco-tourism pathways for indigenous livelihoods
Eco-tourism can connect visitors with the landscapes, knowledge, and everyday work of indigenous communities while creating fairer sources of income. In the…
The Role of Youth in Digitizing Van Gujjar Genealogies
For Van Gujjar communities, genealogy is more than a list of names. It connects families to ancestral grazing routes, buffalo herds, seasonal settlements,…
A Tour of SOPHIA’s Project Sites in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh’s mountain villages and pastoral routes are shaped by forests, seasonal migration, livestock, and close community relationships. For Van…
The Economic Impact of Milk Price Fluctuations on Pastoralists
For pastoral communities, milk is more than a farm product. It is a daily source of income, nutrition, and economic security. Among Van Gujjar families and…
Who qualifies as a traditional forest dweller under Indian law
In India, the phrase “traditional forest dweller” is closely connected with the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The law recognizes that many communities have lived…