Livelihoods of Zeliangrong: An Insight from Northeast India
Author: N. Atungbou
Date Of Publication: Sep 2010
Isbn13: 978-1-4438-2272-5
Isbn: 1-4438-2272-8
Forest resources are indispensable capital assets to the tribal communities of Northeast India. Since time immemorial these communities have been residing in the forest, cultivating within the forest, and collecting highly valued forest produce for which there is often no substitute. The forest is not merely a resource to consume, but rather a reflection of their life support system forming a crucial ingredient in shaping their socio-economic development. In times of common risk or tragedy such as droughts, flooding and natural disaster, forest resources have the potential to sustain tribal livelihoods and daily survival needs. Tribal communities maintain the balance between the extraction of forest resources at an optimum level based on need and not greed, and with no wanton destruction of resources, as part of capable resource management.

The argument of this book revolves around an examination of the contribution of non-timber forests to the livelihood of the Zeliangrong tribe of Northeast India and goes further to explore its potential, the advantages and the disadvantages. It documents the non-timber forest produce and also examines the traditional method of extraction. The book posits the significance of the ‘old belief’ systems that now co-exists with the ‘new belief’ systems in managing resources, along with how these traditions have been effectively sustained throughout many generations of resource management.

The book is interdisciplinary in nature and useful to scholars, students, policy makers and researchers of sociology, social anthropology, natural resource management, development studies, area studies, ethnic/tribal and rural studies.

N. Atungbou is a PhD scholar in the Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad, India. His interests include livelihoods, natural resource management, tribal identities and ethnicity.

Price Uk Gbp: 34.99
Price Us Usd: 52.99