The Van Gujjars, who trace their origins back to Kashmir, first came to the Shivaliks some 1,500 years ago, and today, they are distributed across the many northern states. Their lives essentially revolve around their buffaloes, their only real asset, given that milk is their only source of income and is vital for their sustenance. Community life is based upon the seasonal migration of people and buffalo between the highland and lowland forests. This dependency on forests was not a challenge for a very long period of time. The changing governmental policy in order to protect the forest from any human intervention led to a challenge for the whole community. The government wanted to evict the Van Gujjars from the forest and provide them with a settled lifestyle. The Gujjars did not accept the proposal to leave the forest and settle down in nearby villages; the reason is not only a material gain or loss but an intimate cultural and natural connection they have developed with the place over the years, along with their herds of animals. Interstate migration is another challenge and dilemma for them. However, the challenges are not the same for all. The affluent community members are in a position to maintain the migratory lifestyle, but the less resourceful remain there in the forest to look after the material resources of wealthy families. It has affected their sustainability and the process of acclimatization. Therefore, a leisurely lifestyle for some is a challenge for the majority. The present paper tries to understand the basic stratification frame of the indigenous Gujjar community and the challenges they face in maintaining the sustainability of their lifestyle.
