Birds and Buffaloes
About Taufeek
Taufeek is from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, and belongs to the Van Gujjar community, a pastoral group traditionally known for migrating to different places with their livestock. However, Taufeek and his family have stayed in one place and have taken up farming instead.
Taufeek chose filmmaking as he believed it could highlight his community’s struggles and help bring about positive change. He hopes that through his films, the Van Gujjars will receive better education, improved living standards, and greater awareness of their issues. He is learning the art of documentary filmmaking, focusing on sustainability, biodiversity, and the challenges his community faces.
In his earlier work, Taufeek was involved in wildlife photography and participated in a nature guide program aimed at teaching local community members about the unique species in their surroundings. This initiative also helped create an alternative livelihood by training people to guide tourists. His recent project explores the lifestyle of the Van Gujjar community, migratory birds, and the efforts of the Wildlife Conservation Foundation (WCF) in protecting Kashmir’s wetlands.