Tribal societies are in transition all over the world. Analyze the factors and impact of this transition in Himachal Pradesh. (HPAS Mains Question Paper 2022 – GS 1, Q.11)
All around the globe, tribal communities are changing. Transition is a complicated process that may severely affect tribal communities’ social, cultural, economic, and political fabric.
Reasons for the transition of tribal societies:
1. Modernization and globalization: Traditional tribal tribes are more exposed to contemporary lifestyles and ideas as the globe becomes more linked. This can potentially alter cultural habits, social conventions, and economic systems.
2. Land and resource rights: Many tribal tribes depend on their land and natural resources for a living and to maintain their traditional identity. But, they often encounter opposition from governments, companies, and other players seeking to profit from these resources.
3. Changes in population dynamics, such as increasing migration, variations in birth and death rates, and alterations in age structure, may affect tribal societies. These developments have the potential to influence established social systems and customs.
Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India with a considerable tribal population. These tribes, like many other tribal civilizations across the globe, are now transitioning due to various circumstances.
1. Education: It has played an essential part in transforming tribal communities. With the growth of knowledge, indigenous people’s expectations have shifted, and they are becoming more conscious of their rights and possibilities. For example, the Himachal Pradesh government has established schools and dormitories in tribal regions, increasing literacy among the tribal people.
2. Land alienation: One of the key reasons contributing to tribal society transformation is land alienation. The increased demand for land for development reasons, such as hydropower projects, highways, and urbanization, has resulted in indigenous people being displaced from their homes. This has impacted their traditional way of life, resulting in the erosion of their cultural identity.
3. Communication: Communication has been crucial in transforming primitive communities. Tribal people are becoming increasingly aware of the outside world as television, radio, and mobile phones increase, and there is a flow of ideas and information. This has resulted in a shift in their habits, beliefs, and attitudes.
4. Another critical element contributing to the change of tribal communities in Himachal Pradesh is urbanization. The rising urbanization has caused a shift in the indigenous people’s traditional way of life. The younger generation is moving to cities for better education, work, and opportunities. As a consequence, traditional skills and expertise have been lost.
5. Government policies: The government’s policies towards tribal groups have also changed tribal cultures. The government has implemented some schemes and initiatives to help tribal communities flourish, including the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), the Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP), and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). These plans resulted in the modernization of tribal civilizations and the transition to a market-oriented economy.
The following are some of the impacts of the transition of tribal societies in Himachal Pradesh:
1. Shift in livelihoods: As tribal communities adapt, their traditional livelihoods have changed. Tribal people increasingly participate in new economic activities due to losing their land and traditional vocations. For example, the Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh is well-known for its apple orchards, which have become an essential source of income for the locals.
2. Modernization: As tribal communities have evolved, their culture and way of life have also evolved. Tribal people are becoming increasingly aware of the world beyond their societies as education, communication, and modern technology increase, and they are embracing new traditions and lifestyles. For example, the younger generation is progressively replacing traditional ways of transportation with contemporary modes of mobility such as motorbikes and vehicles.
3. Cultural identity loss: The shift of tribal communities has resulted in a loss of cultural identity. Traditional customs, knowledge, and skills have declined due to the loss of land and formal employment. The conventional understanding of therapeutic plants and herbs, for example, is dwindling among Himachal Pradesh’s indigenous people.
4. The change in tribal cultures has also resulted in increased urbanization. With the movement of tribal people to metropolitan regions, the urban population has increased, resulting in challenges like overpopulation, a lack of essential services, and cultural clashes.
5. Better living conditions: The transformation of tribal societies has resulted in an improvement in living conditions for specific segments of the tribal people. Certain indigenous people are now able to obtain better education, healthcare, and other basic amenities as a result of the adoption of contemporary techniques and lifestyles.
