Our Story
Conceived as a pilot project in 2021, the Vanwasi-Aadiwasi Foundation (VAF) emerged from years of grassroots engagement, learning, and collaboration with indigenous communities.It was founded with the vision of empowering indigenous communities by reconnecting them with their cultural and ecological roots. Established with a clear and simple goal—to empower these communities while honoring their cultural and natural heritage—VAF is rooted in indigenous wisdom and committed to fostering sustainable livelihoods, women-led enterprises, and circular economies. It supports community-based conservation, human-wildlife coexistence, and the protection of biodiversity and cultural identity. Through storytelling, art, and education, VAF builds awareness, documents traditional knowledge, and advocates for inclusive policies that center indigenous rights, climate resilience, and a sustainable future for all.
What We Do
Vanwasi Aadiwasi Foundation (VAF) is a grassroots initiative working at the intersection of culture, conservation, and community. We believe that nature and culture are deeply interconnected—and that conservation is most powerful when driven by local people. Our work focuses on empowering indigenous and forest-dwelling communities, especially women and youth, to protect their environment, revive their traditional crafts, and celebrate their cultural identities.
Our Mission
Projects
Founder
Tripti Shukla is a visual storyteller and wildlife researcher with a deep passion for art and craft. After four years of dedicated goal-setting, she launched the Vanwasi-Aadiwasi initiative to document and share stories of traditional practices from India's remote villages. As an explorer, Tripti immerses herself in communities, collecting and reviving age-old traditions that contribute to wildlife conservation.