Depletion of Natural Resources and Its Impacts on Tribal Women: A Study in Kurung Kumey District of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

In mountainous regions of Arunachal Pradesh, natural resources are economically very significant. Majority of the native tribal groups are heavily dependent on land, water and forests for their survival. In this scenario the contribution of tribal women is quite significant both in the utilization and management. Changes in physical as well as human factors have enhanced the stress which led to depletion of these limited resources, hence posing considerable impacts on their users particularly on the tribal women. In this paper, an attempt has been made to explore the level of dependence of tribal women and their households on the forest products. Kurung Kumey district was selected which portray the typical mountainous environment in the state. Data have been collected through stratified random sampling and self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in the sample villages. Besides, transact walks and focus group discussions were also conducted in these villages. The results of this study show the greater degree of interdependence between forest resources and socio-economic status of tribal women. It was also found that besides causing heavy damages to the environment, depletion of these resources also pose a major threat to the subsistent living of the poor tribal households.