For the past one week, the Gujjar families are camping at Yamuna bridge near Mussoorie after being disallowed to proceed further upwards. The Uttarakhand government has detained these Gujjars, hailing from Shivalik ranges in Uttar Pradesh, on the pretext that they do not belong to the state. Traditionally, these Gujjar families had been moving up during the summer months with their herds of buffaloes in Uttarkashi district. But this year Uttarakhand Forest Department banned their entry uphill, with their herds and families, to the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park.

The Gujjars have met senior Forest Department officials, including the state Forest Secretary, highlighting their plight. “We have not received any positive response from the government. We had been moving up to the pastures since time immemorial. This year we are denied entry into the national park,” Kalu Gujjar, a Gujjar nomad leader told The Indian Express.

When contacted, Shrikant Chandola, Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden, said that the state government has been considering the case of these Gujjar nomads on humanitarian grounds. “We would not allow them entry into Govind Pashu Vihar National Park but we may consider their entry into adjoining Govind Pashu Vihar Sanctuary,” he said.

However, he explained that only those Gujjars having the permits would be allowed entry and that too only for this year. “More than 40 Gujjar families were given permits and given demarcated grasslands in 1937. Since then our families have grown. By displacing us from our demarcated areas the government wants us to be in conflict with locals,” Kalu said.

“It is sad that despite the enactment of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006, these nomads have to suffer,” commented Parveen Manto of SOPHIA, an NGO fighting for the rights of the Gujjars. The Gujjars residing in Rajaji National Park area were rehabilitated in two colonies near Haridwar.