{"id":115935,"date":"2026-07-29T17:45:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T12:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=115935"},"modified":"2026-07-29T17:45:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T12:15:44","slug":"tribes-of-uttarakhand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/tribes-of-uttarakhand\/","title":{"rendered":"Tribes of Uttarakhand, Traditions, Livelihoods, Distribution"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Uttarakhand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, known as the<\/span><b> \u201cLand of the Gods\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, has a rich tribal heritage shaped by its Himalayan ecology, traditional livelihoods and unique cultural practices. According to the <\/span><b>Census 2011<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Scheduled Tribes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> form <\/span><b>around 2.89% of the state\u2019s population. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They mainly live in the <\/span><b>Terai-Bhabar region<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Himalayan border areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and have unique cultural traditions and livelihood practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Major Tribes of Uttarakhand<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The major tribal communities of Uttarakhand include <\/span><b>Bhotia, Jaunsari, Tharu, Buksa and Raji.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>Jaunsari Tribe<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Jaunsari tribe is one of the prominent tribal communities of Uttarakhand, mainly <\/span><b>inhabiting the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Dehradun district.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are also found in parts of Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal districts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mahasu Devta<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the <\/span><b>principal deity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whose temple at Hanol is an important cultural and religious centre of the Jaunsar-Bawar region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionally, they practised <\/span><b>fraternal polyandry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where brothers shared a common wife, though the practice has declined significantly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their traditional social institution is known as the <\/span><b>Khat system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which functions as a community-based decision-making mechanism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agriculture, animal husbandry and forest-based activities are important sources of livelihood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The community is known for its rich folk traditions, including <\/span><b>Barada Nati<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dance performed during local festivals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Tharu Tribe<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tharu are among the largest tribal communities of Uttarakhand and <\/span><b>mainly inhabit the Terai region.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are concentrated in districts such as Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionally, they are an <\/span><b>agricultural community<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dependent on fertile Terai lands.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A distinctive social custom is the <\/span><b>Badla marriage system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an <\/span><b>exchange marriage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in which a brother and sister from one family marry a sister and brother from another family, strengthening kinship ties and reducing marriage-related expenses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major festivals celebrated by the community include <\/span><b>Diwali, Dussehra and Janmashtami.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They face challenges related to land rights, displacement and socio-economic development.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Buksa (Bhoksa) Tribe<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Buksa tribe mainly <\/span><b>resides in the Terai and Bhabar regions of Uttarakhand. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is recognised as a <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups-pvtgs\/\" target=\"_blank\">Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Uttarakhand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are found mainly in Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar districts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionally associated with <\/span><b>hunting and forest-based activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they are now primarily engaged in <\/span><b>agriculture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They have a traditional community institution called the <\/span><b>Biradari Panchayat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which helps resolve social disputes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The community traditionally follows <\/span><b>endogamy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with marriages generally taking place within the tribe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rice, wheat and maize cultivation are important economic activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Issues such as land alienation, poverty and limited access to education remain major concerns.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Bhotia Tribe<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bhotia tribe represents the Himalayan tribal communities living in the high-altitude border regions of Uttarakhand. Different Bhotia groups include the <\/span><b>Marcha, Tolcha and Johari<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, inhabiting different Himalayan valleys.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They inhabit areas of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Almora districts near the Tibet border.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionally, they practised <\/span><b>transhumance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, involving seasonal migration between high-altitude summer settlements and lower winter settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before the closure of the India-Tibet border after 1962, they were involved in <\/span><b>trans-Himalayan trad<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are known for <\/span><b>wool-based handicrafts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially <\/span><b>Bhotia carpets (Bhotia Dann).<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They worship<\/span><b> Nanda Devi, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">along with local deities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important cultural festivals include <\/span><b>Losar (Tibetan New Year) and Kandali festival.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Raji Tribe\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Raji are the smallest tribal community of Uttarakhand and are recognised as a <\/span><b>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are mainly found in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts near the India-Nepal border.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are also known by names such as <\/span><b>Van Raji, Van Rawat and Banraut.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are also known as the<\/span><b> \u201cKings of the Forest\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">because of their traditional dependence on forests.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historically, they followed a <\/span><b>forest-dependent hunter-gatherer lifestyle.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At present, many have shifted towards <\/span><b>subsistence agriculture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and wage labour.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to their small population, geographical isolation and socio-economic vulnerability, they were <\/span><b>classified as a PVTG in 1975.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Government Initiatives for Tribal Development<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The government has adopted constitutional, institutional and welfare measures for the socio-economic development and cultural preservation of tribal communities.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tribal Welfare Department, Uttarakhand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Implements schemes related to education, healthcare, livelihood and infrastructure development for tribal communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Uttarakhand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Promotes tribal research, documentation and preservation of cultural heritage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/ekalavya-model-residential-schools\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Provides quality education to tribal students, especially in remote areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Van Dhan Vikas Yojana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Supports tribal livelihoods through value addition and marketing of forest-based products.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Focuses on integrated development of tribal villages through improved basic facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/forest-rights-act\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Forest Rights Act, 2006<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Recognises the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities over traditional forest resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Constitutional safeguards<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Articles 15(4), 16(4), 46, 244, 275(1) and 342 provide protection, reservation and welfare measures for Scheduled Tribes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes-ncst\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (Article 338A)<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Monitors implementation of tribal safeguards and protects tribal rights.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read about the major tribes of Uttarakhand, their unique traditions, livelihoods, distribution, PVTGs, and key government initiatives for tribal development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":115699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[9073],"class_list":["post-115935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-tribes-of-uttarakhand","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115935"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115935\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":115944,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115935\/revisions\/115944"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/115699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}