Changing patterns of tribal livelihoods: an exploratory study of the Lepcha community in Dzongu, North Sikkim
Student name: Ms Vibhuti Bhatt
Guide: Dr Swarup Dutta
Year of completion: 2017
Host Organisation: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Navarun Varma
Abstract: Livelihoods in simple terms can be defined as means for securing basic
necessities. Livelihoods are very contextual in nature and they vary depending
upon the geography, culture and practice. Humans derive their livelihood from
environment, directly or indirectly depending upon their way of living. Presently,
livelihoods have become an important topic in the context of tribal communities.
Indigenous communities in India possess different set of livelihoods. Livelihoods
give a better understanding of the economic system of a community. Since ages
the tribal communities have been residing in and around the forests and practising
hunting, gathering, fishing, and shifting cultivation in order to sustain their
livelihoods. Traditionally, these communities depend upon forest resources for
their livelihoods. Their livelihood practices are closely linked with the physical
environment.
Taking the anthropological approach into account the present study tried
to explore the changing livelihood patterns of the Lepcha community residing in
Lower Dzongu block in North district, Sikkim. Special mention is given to the
agricultural practices as it is the mainstay of the community. While looking into
the changing contest of the livelihood patterns of the community, it is seen that a
lot has changed in a course of time, agricultural practices particularly.
Traditionally the community practised hunting and shifting cultivation but later
moved towards settled agriculture. Agriculture is the major occupation of the
community, focus is given to cash crop, large cardamom. Almost 15-20 years back,
the people were practising agriculture in agroforestry mode but now they have
shifted to intensive terrace cultivation. This shift was in response to the changes
that occurred in the physical environment causing loss of large cardamom in the
forests and ultimately leading to many other changes. Eventually the community
manged to cope up with the loss and adapted to the changes.
Key words: Livelihoods, tribal, agriculture, agroforestry.
