Participation of Tribal “Gujjar” Farmers in Animal Husbandry and Dairying in Una, Himachal Pradesh

India has the second largest population of the tribal population in the world. “Gujjars” tribes of H.P. still stick to their ancestral profession of buffalo rearing and selling of milk and milk products. Animal husbandry and dairying (AHD) signifies as the major occupation of “Gujjars” tribe and contribute to food, economic, environmental, institutional, health, educational, social, infrastructural, nutritional security and thus in total to the livelihood security of tribes. Even the poorest of the poor tribes often have livestock that can help them along a pathway out of poverty. Dairy animals like cattle, buffaloes and goat are important species of livestock production systems of the tribes which contribute significantly to the rural economy. This study emphasized the analysis of participation of tribal “Gujjar” farmers in animal husbandry occupation. The study was conducted in Una district of Himachal Pradesh. Data were collected from 80 randomly selected “Gujjar” farmers from two villages of Amb block and two villages of Gagret block using structured interview schedule. The participation was observed more in the aspects related to milking, feeding, health care and management, breeding and buffalo rearing.