Hello, my name is
Irfan Banka
Documenting Nomadic Lives and Himalayan Pastoral Cultures
- ANTHROIRFAN@GMAIL.COM
- 941-937-2272
About me
Exploring the lives, traditions, and landscapes of Himalayan pastoral communities, including the Chopan, Gujjar, and Bakarwal.
Bringing Himalayan communities and their stories to life.
Irfan Ali Banka is an anthropologist, researcher, and visual storyteller based in Jammu & Kashmir, India. With a focus on pastoral communities in the Himalayas, he has spent years documenting the lives, traditions, and ecological knowledge of the Chopan, Gujjar, and Bakarwal communities.
His work bridges ethnography, human ecology, and mobility studies, emphasizing the intersection of culture, environment, and sustainable livelihoods. Through fieldwork, photography, and multimedia storytelling, Irfan brings the experiences of nomadic communities to a wider audience.
He has contributed to peer-reviewed journals, international conferences, and photo exhibitions, including the WAU 2025 Congress Photo Contest. His research also informs policy discussions on pastoralism, land rights, and gendered access to resources.
Passionate about education and empowerment, Irfan combines field insights with academic rigor to document, analyze, and advocate for the people and landscapes he studies.
What I do
Ethnographic Research & Consultancy
Field-based studies on pastoralism, mobility, and human ecology. Data collection, analysis, and reporting for academic and policy projects.
Academic Writing & Publications
Producing peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and policy briefs. Manuscript review and scholarly editing.
Photography & Visual Storytelling
Documenting pastoral life, landscapes, and traditional practices. Multimedia presentations for exhibitions and publications.
Workshops & Lectures
Guest lectures, training sessions, and seminars on pastoralism, TEK, and ethnography for students and researchers.
Skills
My Experience
2021 – 2025
National & International Training Programs
Participant / Trainee
Completed multiple MOOC courses, leadership training, disaster management, pastoralism, and research methodology programs
2020 – Present
Panjab University, Chandigarh & Other Institutions
Guest Lecturer / Trainer
Delivered lectures, workshops, and webinars on RTI, research methodology, qualitative coding, academic publishing
2019
Greater Kashmir & Other Media
Contributor / Commentator
Wrote on RTI, governance, environmental and public policy issues; influenced EWS reservation policy in J&K
