Community Development Among Nomadic People of North India

The Buffalo Gujjars are a group of nomadic Muslims who make their living from the milk they derive from water buffalo.  They live very simply, in the jungles at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains., in North India, migrating twice a year.  Generally, they are uneducated.

The Gujjars of North India are facing a very imminent and dire need at this time in their societal development.  Traditionally the Gujjars have been a nomadic people who herd their flocks from highlands to lowlands in the fall and from lowlands to highlands in the spring.  They have wandered, what they consider, their own jungles for nearly 1,000 years.

More recently the Gujjars have been forced from some of their traditional grazing lands by the formation of National Parks and from overgrazing by their herds and those of others.

Some Gujjars have been moved into colonies where they have had to learn new skills to survive.

 What is “Hope Inspired” doing to help the Gujjars in this time of transition?

 ·        We network by introducing interested individuals, organizations and professionals who can work together, (practically and financially) for the benefit of the Gujjar people.

 ·        We have developed working relationships with local Indian and international charities to develop training programs:

• Sewing classes for the woman to give them skills to start cottage industries.
• Teams of veterinarians develop training programs to help with animal care and training about diseases that reduce the milk production of the buffalo.
•  Training in groups and one-on-one in basic hygiene, disease prevention and hygienic child birthing practices.
• Development of literacy primers to be used for adult literacy classes.
• Promoted the construction of a Gujjar cultural center to assist in the  preservation of the Gujjar culture and language.

 Please help support this important work.  For more information CLICK HERE.