The present panel proposal in a round-table discussion format aims at to discuss the ecology, physical and social adaptability,and culture of different human populations of the Himalaya.
Long Abstract:
The Himalayan region of South and Central Asia stretches from Afghanistan to Arunachal Pradesh province of India. The ecology of the Himalaya varies from high altitude to valley to plain with variable human populace,flora and fauna.The Himalaya is inhabited by different human populations,be these tribal,rural or urban,such
as Gaddi, Gujjar, Bakarwal, Sherpa, Jaunsari, Bhotia, Bhoksa, Tharu, Raji, Khasi, Garo, Jaintia, Naga, Mizo, Apatani, etc. All these tribes have variable ecology, adaptable bio-social type and culture.The adaptability ranges from ecological to pastoral nomadism to transhumance in the Himalaya. The socio-cultural profiles vary from fraternal polyandry to matriliny to woman dominance to invisible trading in the Himalaya. Therefore,all the aspects of ecology, adaptabilitry and culture of the Himalaya will be discussed in detail in this panel.
The theme paper titled 'Study of Folk Medicine among the Scheduled Tribes of Uttarakhand Himalaya' will be presented as an introductory remark before the round-table discussion by the panel convenor.
The Sino-Indian border was open and fluid until the 1962 when the defeat of India in Indo-China war resulted in the closing of both countries’ international borders. The result of this was not only physical restrictions of movements of the earlier transhumant pastoralists, but it encompasses the major issue of livelihood and identity for the people of the borderlands. This region is inhabited by the Bhotias, a pastoral transhumant community in Uttarakhand of the semi-arid region of central Himalayas. The area calls for a special kind of lifestyle where other environmental and economic factors also come into play.
The mainstay of this community was a well regulated trade with neighbouring Tibet community on one side of the border and the local hill community on the other side. The signs of political upheavals started around the early 19th century during colonial regime. The series of regulations those pertaining to land and forest influenced Bhotia economy and ecology. Their movement which was earlier tied to the grazing activities of their beasts got disturbed, in turn disturbing the ecology. This colonial legacy was maintained even after Indian independence and with the closing of border their trade came to a halt. The political economy and ‘development’ policies even after independence are based on the state’s understanding of tribe. Therefore, the present situation of pastoralism and its consequences on environment of region needs to be examined at the backdrop of colonial and post-colonial understanding of the system. They now seem to have multiple identities and are trying to adjust to the state imposed identity, self imposed identity, and the identity which neighbouring communities associate with the Bhotias. This paper is, therefore, an effort to study transhumance as a sustainable means of livelihood in the light of conservation politics and political economy.
Paper long abstract:
The broad aim of the paper is to comprehend and explore the practice of transhumance as it exists among Bhotias of Himalayas with respect to the present state policies and attitude of community people towards this. The importance of transhumance calls for an economic and ecological understanding of the same. Transhumant societies the world over are fast changing in social, political and ideological sphere and particularly in India, which is in its declining phase and in years to come is likely to become extinct. An examination of changes in such societies would reveal the trend of total or partial abandonment of pastoralism. In many societies, governments have nationalized and confiscated pastures, forests and natural resources, alienating the nomadic pastoralists of their traditional and age-old rights. On the one hand, communities are abandoning transhumance as an economic practice and there is no government intervention to restore it, but in countries like Spain, the government is recognising the ecological importance of transhumance in ensuring sustainable development and conserving ecosystem. With other countries like Spain undergoing a renewal of transhumance in the name of bio-conservation, there is need to study a comparative case of policies affecting transhumance and people's attitude towards transhumance. The paper has two important connotations on social, economic and ecological aspects; one, impact on environment due to neglect of transhumance and two, the impact on social identity of pastoralists. The paper deals with social, economic and ecological understanding of transhumance, how it has changed over time and what implication it has on the identity of Bhotias as pastoralists.
Landslide is a major problem in the Himalayas that can be caused due to deforestation, illegal mining, unplanned transportation and big dam construction.
Step cultivation is the right choice for mountain production system that could reduce scope for natural hazard.
Paper long abstract:
Kalimpong Himalayas is that pocket that exists in vicinity of Nepal, Darjeeling, Bhutan and its foothill Duars, Sikkim and Chumbi valley of Tibetan Autonomous Territory, Barindland-Boikunthopur watershed (containing an Aryan Diaspora from Kashmir-Tibet region), and transnational Teesta River towards Rajshahi Division of North West Bangladesh.
This transnational territory still favours orange orchard instead of tea estates as in other places. Illegal coal mining on Damuna-Daling rock series, road construction and excess logging in Kalimpong have exerted lethal impacts on entire ecosystem. But step cultivation in terms of contour trenches and bench terraces, and special systems of water holding have proved positive in resisting soil erosion. Choice of crop and classification of soil are also important. Remote villages using solar energy are another important characteristic.
The livelihood and culture of the tribal people is intimately related with their surrounding environment. North East India is a rich zone of ethnic and cultural diversity. The present paper is an attempt to know about the co-relationship between environment and culture among the Karbi tribal group of Assam.
Paper long abstract:
The livelihood of human being is deeply correlated with the nature and natural resources. We get our food, water and respiratory means from the surface of the Earth to satisfy the needs of our hunger, thirst and respiration. Thus the need of the human society is totally depended on the nature. In our country, the tribal people are dwelling in the high hills, isolated forest covered region. Their entire livelihood is very much depended on the forest based natural products. Particularly, their traditional economic pursuit, indigenous knowledge of health care system and religious faith has a deep co-relation with environment and forest based natural products. Even their folk cultural tradition as well as folk performances reflects the significance of nature in the context of their livelihood. North East India is a zone of rich ethnic and cultural diversity. In this region, the livelihood of the tribal people is deeply co-related with their surrounding nature. In the present study it has been observed among the Karbi tribal group of Assam.
Key Words: Environment, Economy, Traditional medicine, Folk Culture.
With the opening of communication gates and achieving the standards of the outer society, the people from the remote parts of Himalayas have adjusted very well with the outer society. a longitudinal study in the subject shall surely bring out interesting patterns of culture adaptations.
Paper long abstract:
An inquiry focused on the cross-cultural wedding; the changes expected and; the changes enforced onto the traditional threads of the families involved.Based on personal attendances to such weddings. It is objected to find out the changes in the traditional point of view. To find out the rationale presented for selection and rejection of customs. also to find the new set of customs introduced to overcome the clash of customs.
Lahaul Spiti is a tribal District in Himachal Pradesh, occupying the North-Western region of the Himalayas. The population density as per 2011 census is 2 person per K.m. and the community is divided regionally into four major geographical valleys, i.e. Punan, Tinan, Pattan and sTod. Besides the variations in dialect and some racial features, the culture and practices in each valley co-incide in some way or the other. A great mixture of Hinduism and Buddhism is found to be assimilated with born traditions.
Marriage or pahhtonn is a celebration for the villagers and family. The customs and traditions are as complex as would be in any society. People of Lahaul-Spiti have remained separated from the mainstream globalised world, but the few past occurrences and recent improvements in communication, education, and transport has catalysed the processes of social approach and thus giving way to the trend of cross-cultural weddings.
Now is the time to note down the practices of culture change, diffusion and adaptations taking place in the community.
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