Tribal livelihood patterns of Dhalai District, Tripura: a geographical study

Abstract

The present paper is an attempt to explore the influence of physical environment on its habitants (tribals) livelihood patterns on the basis of primary data collected from the households at Longtarai valley sub-division in Dhalai district, Tripura (North-East India). The undulating, hilly and sloppy terrains are used for jhum cultivation and rubber plantation and synclinal valleys are used for agricultural practices. The huge forest cover helps them to practice grazing and pasturing. The hot and humid climate of the study area promotes them to work hard in their own working place. Some of the tribals are dependent on forest-based products for their sustainable livelihoods and others are engaged in piggery, goatery, mushroom cultivation and poultry farming as a livelihood pattern for their survival and existence. The study reveals that the livelihood patterns of the tribals are more or less dependent on its physical environment. The present study winds up with a line that ‘physical environment makes an influence on the livelihood patterns but it is the human who utilizes the physical environment to fulfil their own necessities