Socio Economic Condition of the Tribes Living in Majuli Sub Division of Jorhat

Abstract

The problems of hunger, starvation, malnutrition, disease, illiteracy, ignorance, poor shelter and exploitation faced by tribals are prevalent in tribal areas of Assam. Therefore reservation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had assumed living importance in the context of Social and Economic Development of Assam to protect them from the vicious circles of poverty like any other part of India. But due to different geographical position and condition, the socio economic status of one area differs from others with different constraints of development. In Assam around 80 per cent of the total populations are residing in rural and isolated areas. Majuli is one of such isolated area where different tribal and non tribal communities are living for generations. It is the biggest river island in the world with around 2 lakhs of population of different tribal and non-tribal communities. Apart from general castes and scheduled castes populations, there is a sizeable number of tribal populations including Misings, Deoris and SonowalKacharis in Majuli. Majuli is famous for its unique geographical location, cultural heritage and Satra institutions. Tribals have been residing in Majuli for generations together, cultivating and depending on mighty river the Brahmaputra for livelihood. Due to prolong problem of flood, river erosion and lack of connectivity, the tribes living in this Sub Division are lagging behind in economic development, compared to its ethnic counterpart of the mainland area. These factors have reduced the tribal economy of the island to mere subsistence level. This particular study is conducted to identify and analyse the main constraints of socio-economic development of the island, so that the planners, policy makers get authentic information about socio economic status of the people living in Majuli, which will enable them to formulate the appropriate development strategies. Along with this, the study also aims to highlight the unique socio cultural character of the tribes living in Majuli.