Tribes

Every spring, as the snow begins to melt in the mountains, the nomadic tribe of Van Gujjars embarks on an epic journey in search of the best pastures for their buffaloes. Here is the story of this peaceful, forest dwelling tribe and their journey across high plains, treacherous passes and picturesque Himalayan valleys.

Home to more than 2000 species of plants, three wildlife sanctuaries and a tiger reserve, the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve has been included in UNESCO's list of World Biosphere Reserve Network.

One of the most ignored communities in the country, here's how the Bhils of Madhya Pradesh are gradually moving towards a better life with a little help from NGOs and micro loans. From growing vegetables and earning higher incomes to sending their kids to school and becoming micro entrepreneurs, these traditional warrior tribes are changing their way of life to be able to survive in the competitive world.

From getting an officer suspended for taking bribe to empowering her people with knowledge about their rights, Anna is bringing a positive change in her little community in Odisha. She is an inspiration for thousands of tribal women, who are now rightful owners of their land thanks to Anna's efforts. Read about her inspiring journey here.

Patalkot, a remote valley so deep that even sunlight cannot reach here. Also, it is believed that Meghnath went to "Patal-lok" from here. Know more about the villages, the tribes, their life and the mesmerizing beauty of this less explored place.

A small tribe in Arunachal Pradesh located in a small valley has been able to defeat modern technological advancements in terms of environment conservation. The Apatanis from Ziro have a unique lifestyle that focuses on living in harmony with nature. This post will take you to their homes and give you a glimpse into their lives that are simple, peaceful and rare to find in the present era.

'Responsible tourism' is a lot more than just "not littering" It is about connecting with the local people and their culture, about leaving the environment in a better state than before, about improving lives of the locals, about giving more than taking, and much more. A travel company in North East India is trying to be 'responsible'. Let's find out how.

The Bagariyas of Rajasthan are one of the poorest and least literate tribes in India. While they are barely eking out an existence, their children don't go to school, they have no electricity, or in fact, any facilities that make life easier. Most developmental schemes seem to have bypassed them. But we see here, how a little money and a lot of initiative, can have a large impact on people's lives.

The Sahariya tribe of Baran district in Rajasthan is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribe. For years, they were forced to work as bonded agricultural labourers by the landed gentry of the region. The past decade has seen them fighting for their rights, and now with the help of some local NGOs, governmental support and their own unified efforts, they are slowly reaping the benefits of their struggle to be treated as free and equal citizens of this nation.

Yoginder Sikand takes you on a daring trip to a remote part of the remote state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is not for the faint-hearted or the luxury-seeker. You will not be observing exotic wildlife or grandiose architecture. But if you are a daring adventurer who can rough it, want to experience a unique sense of oneness with nature and have a deep love for primitive cultures and tribal traditions, you will not find a more perfect place than this!