Resilience & Resistance: The Lives and Struggles of Nomadic Gujjar Women

This photo project highlights the resilience of nomadic Gujjar women in the Himalayas—their struggles, wisdom and role in forest conservation. Facing land rights barriers, they remain protectors of biodiversity.

Indigenous women have long been the unseen protectors of forests and biodiversity. Among them, the nomadic Gujjar women of the western Himalayas play a pivotal role in preserving ecological balance through their deep-rooted traditional knowledge and sustainable practices. Their seasonal migrations—from the alpine pastures of the Himalayas in summer to the foothills in winter—are not just about survival; they are an intricate dance with nature, ensuring the health of fragile ecosystems.

Yet, despite their invaluable contributions, these women remain largely invisible in conservation narratives and forest governance. They shoulder multiple responsibilities—managing household work, raising children, tending to livestock, and navigating an increasingly hostile policy landscape that threatens their way of life. The absence of secure land tenure is at the heart of this struggle. For Gujjar women, land is more than property; it is autonomy, security, and the key to sustaining their culture. Without legal recognition, they are left vulnerable to policies that prioritize commercial interests over environmental stewardship.

International agreements like Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) acknowledge the critical role of indigenous knowledge in conservation. Yet, these commitments remain largely unfulfilled, as governments fail to translate them into concrete protections for indigenous women’s rights. Even India’s progressive Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, which grants joint land ownership, is hindered by patriarchal norms that limit women’s decision-making power.

Through this ongoing photo project, I aim to bring visibility to the resilience and resistance of nomadic Gujjar women—their struggles, their wisdom, and their unwavering commitment to the land. This is not just about documenting a way of life under threat; it is about amplifying their voices and advocating for their rightful place in forest governance. Through intimate portraits and field interviews, I hope to create a powerful visual narrative that challenges erasure and affirms their role as custodians of biodiversity.