The Tribal Situation in Changing Environment A Study among the Misings of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur Districts of Assam

Abstract

The Misings, a riverine tribe are the second largest plain tribe of Assam living predominantly in the Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam. Living mostly in the flood prone areas, they face irreparable loss every year. While living amidst recurring devastating flood every year, the villagers at times also need to shift their homes quite often due to erosion and loss of land. This adversely affects their economy which is already subsistent in nature. This study therefore aims at understanding the various problems faced by the community in the wake of land loss owing to flood and erosion. Amidst the hassles of settling up in new places, the flood ravaged Mising people also faces problems related to adjustments in a new social environment. This study henceforth also aims at describing the changing trend of their socio cultural lives through an in depth study of few selected Mising villages of these two districts.