Transition in the Economy of the Tribals

The traditional economy of the Jhumia tribals of Tripura was based on shifting cultivation. This mode of cultivation was once universal among them. A transition is taking place in their economy at present. Some Jhumia tribals have given up their traditional occupation completely. Others who are still practicing shifting cultivation are combining Jhuming with other non-traditional activities. Moreover, they are not doing Jhum cultivation in the traditional manner. They are extending Jhum cultivation to steep slopes that were traditionally kept under permanent forest cover. Jhum cycle is slowly shortening. The transition in the economy of the tribals of Tripura forms the subject matter of this book. In addition to the available empirical data from the state, the book constructs an abstract economic model to analyse the typical jhum-based traditional economy of tribals, isolate the main factors leading to a transition in it, like, increasing population, increasing requirements and a shrinking access of shifting cultivators to land suitable for jhuming and describe the chief features of the present day economy of jhumias in order to situate the problem of transition of the economy of the tribals. The book will be of immense use to the research scientists and students, mainly in the field of Tribal Economics. The book will be of equal interest to economists and policy makers of the Central and State Govts.