Introduction
This answer provides brief yet informative insights into two key topics: (a) Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and Tribes, and (b) Pastoral Nomads. Both areas are significant in understanding tribal development and livelihood strategies.
a. Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and Tribes
Role of NGOs
- NGOs act as intermediaries between the tribal population and government programs.
- They work to ensure delivery of education, healthcare, livelihood support, and human rights awareness to tribal communities.
- NGOs often operate in remote areas where government services are limited or absent.
Major Functions
- Advocacy: Fight for land rights, forest rights, and legal protections for tribals.
- Education: Run informal schools, support language preservation, and improve literacy.
- Healthcare: Address malnutrition, maternal health, and indigenous health knowledge systems.
- Livelihood: Promote sustainable agriculture, skill training, and tribal handicrafts.
Challenges
- Lack of funding and administrative hurdles.
- Occasional resistance from local communities due to mistrust or lack of cultural sensitivity.
- Some NGOs face scrutiny over political activism or foreign funding.
Examples
- VASUNDHARA: Works in Odisha on forest rights and community forest governance.
- SEWA: Promotes tribal women’s empowerment and income generation.
b. Pastoral Nomads
Definition
Pastoral nomads are communities who depend on livestock herding and migrate seasonally in search of grazing land and water. Unlike settled agriculturalists, they do not have permanent homes but follow specific migratory routes.
Characteristics
- Mobile lifestyle centered around cattle, sheep, goats, camels, or yaks.
- Deep ecological knowledge of pasture lands, weather patterns, and animal health.
- Social organization based on clans and kinship ties.
Examples in India
- Gujjars and Bakarwals – Jammu and Kashmir
- Rabaris – Gujarat
- Dhangars – Maharashtra
- Changpas – Ladakh (herd yaks and pashmina goats)
Challenges
- Loss of grazing land due to urbanization, agriculture, and forest restrictions.
- Excluded from formal land rights and government services due to mobility.
- Climate change affecting pasture availability and migration cycles.
Recent Developments
- Efforts to integrate pastoral communities into policy-making through recognition in Forest Rights Act.
- NGOs and researchers advocating for mobile schools, veterinary care, and ID documentation for nomads.
Conclusion
Both NGOs and pastoral nomads play vital roles in India’s tribal landscape—one in advocating for development, and the other as a traditional livelihood system. Supporting and empowering both is crucial for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to tribal welfare and cultural preservation.