Paper short abstract:

In India, the majority of the tribal population depends on forests and forest land for their survival and livelihood. This case study will enlighten you about the tribal forest interfaces and conservation methods that they have been using since time immemorial. The data was collected by me from north east India.

Paper long abstract:

I wish to bring to your knowledge a case study of interaction between forest and tribal (forest dwellers) of Manipur-called HMARS. The largest concentration of HMAR found in Churachandpur, Tipaimukh and Jiribam subdivisions of Manipur. Forest is the main store house: from this cornucopia comes golden grain, ripe corn, fruits and vegetables to the Hmar house. It provides them not only food grains but building materials such as thatch cane, bamboos etc. to construct beautiful houses on the rows of hills. The forest provides them immense scope for hunting and trapping wild animals. It also provides them large area for Jhooming i.e slash and burn cultivation. In addition to corn, fruits and vegetables they grow cotton in their Jhoom field and weave attractive cloths (PUON). They prepare well finished baskets for their daily use. The musical tunes that enchant the listeners coming from different types of musical instruments (KHUONGS) are made up of bamboos comes from forest. Not only economic sustenance but the entire journey of life from the womb to tomb is completed by these tribal in the lap of forest.