Despite remarkable worldwide progress in the field of diagnostics and curative and preventive health, still there are people living in isolation in natural and unpolluted surroundings far away from civilization with their traditional values, customs, beliefs and myth intact. They are commonly known as "tribals" and are considered to be the autochthonous people of the land. Health is a prerequisite for human development and is an essential component for the well being of the mankind. The health

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... roblems of any community are influenced by interplay of various factors including social, economic and political ones. The common beliefs, customs, practices related to health and disease in turn influence the health seeking behaviour of the community. Health of indigenous or tribal people is the perception and conception in their own cultural system with less awareness of the modern health care and health sources. In India, tribals are most depressed and under drowned people, especially in rural areas they don't even have a permanent work and sufficient income and they do not acquire an adequate service of health. The Gujjars and Bakerwals tribes form the third largest ethnic group in Jammu and Kashmir after Kashmiri and Ladakhi, constitute more than 20 per cent population of the State are living below poverty line. They are the state's most populous Scheduled Tribe contains the population of more than 20 lakh as per the 2011 census and one forth of them are living nomadic life. The both groups of Gujjar community are without sufficient food, fodder for their animals. They lack basic facilities like proper shelter, health, drinking water, and education. The health condition of Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes in Jammu and Kashmir is the worst, because of lack of education, lack of awareness about health programs and their way of living nomadic life. These tribes do not have basic knowledge towards health care and preventive measures and they don't have a proper health care service too. The central government, state government, NGO's and local bodies are jointly working for the improvement of Gujjar and Bakerwal health conditions. The main focus of the study is: to study the health problems of Gujjars tribe and to identify the background characteristics that determines the health status of Gujjar tribes in Anantnag district of Kashmir valley.