Meer Hamza

I was born in a jungle. Literally! I hail from the pastoral Van Gujjar hill tribe and was born on the outskirts of the Rajaji National park in Uttarakhand. I am now pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work, and I feel a deep affinity to nature. I hail from a nomadic tribe of people who migrate according to seasons and rear milch animals, selling milk for a living. For over three years now, I have been working actively as a social worker for my Van Gujjar community. I help them access basic education, teach them how to retain their culture and most importantly know their rights. I created a youth group, and am educating them about the rights of forest dwelling communities, citizenship laws, conservation and security issues. I am also researching traditional forest produce, so I can enable my community to market them effectively while retaining the balance of nature.

Reports By Meer Hamza

27 Dec, 2021

Defending Forest Rights in 2021 CJP and AIUFWP stand by Adivasis and forest dwellers amidst mounting challenges

25 Dec, 2021

CJP’s Fantastic Four Meet the youth leaders who were awarded the CJP Grassroots Fellowship 2020-2021

06 Sep, 2021

CJP impact: A fellowship, that encouraged communities to cross communication barriers It has helped open up a window for Van Gujjars, whose stories are now being shared widely

11 Aug, 2021

Support a CJP fellow today CJP grassroots fellows are making a difference on the ground

05 Aug, 2021

“CJP’s Grassroots Fellowship gave me a leadership identity” CJP’s Grassroots Fellowship goes beyond individual recognition, empowers Van Gujjar community

04 Jun, 2021

A ray of hope is all we need How Uttarakhand’s Van Gujjars are rebuilding relationships with villagers

17 Apr, 2021

Bullets and bureaucracy: Van Gujjars of Shivalik hills are caught in the crosshairs At least 4,000 families of the originally nomadic community have settled in the region that is also home to an Army shooting range

27 Mar, 2021

How can you ever ‘resettle’ an ancient way of life? Resettlement not always constructive rehabilitation, forest dwellers face the loss of identity

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