Abstract
The tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim is well known for its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic identity. There is a political and historical debate regarding the identity of communities in Sikkim. Lepchas are considered as original inhabitants of Sikkim. Currently, Lepcha, Bhutia and Limbu are recognised as minor communities and have Schedule Tribes (ST) status in the state. Individual community concentration is mainly found in North and West Sikkim. Lepcha-Bhutias are found mainly in North Sikkim whereas Limbus are concentrated in West Sikkim. Community concentration is profound in rural areas. Gyalshing sub-division of West Sikkim has been selected for the present study. Purpose of this study is to investigate the Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) level economy and social development of the rural areas based mainly on secondary sources of information. A field survey was also conducted to interact with the local people. Findings suggest that education and population density are the key determinants for GPU level disparity in social development of the study area. It has been found that the economy is primarily agriculture based and fully organised by organic farming system. Recently, homestay (eco)tourism business has been started here like other parts of Sikkim.
Highlights
As the study focuses on the society and economy of rural West Sikkim, it is justified to select this sub-division, which contains a high proportion of rural areas displaying a better rural scenario
From the perspective of rural areas, highest ethnic community concentration, administrative and defensive centre of West Sikkim, historic-political background, village tourism accommodation system, it is justified to select this sub-division for research work to portray the socio-economic development of rural areas more precisely
There prevails political and historical debate regarding the identity of communities and relations among them in Sikkim (Bhasin 2002, Arora, 2006, 2007 and Sinha, 2008)
Summary
Observed that, different ethnic communities form majority populace of some rural units (major Limbu-Tamang population in DarapNambu Gram Panchayet Unit is 63.47% and major Lepcha-Bhutia population in Tashiding GPU is 44.16% in whole sub-division). Limbu community is concentrated in the West district as per the State Socio Economic Census of Sikkim, (2010). Taking into account this brief background, this research aims to examine the economy and social development of rural Sikkim with reference to the Gyalshing Sub-Division as a case study.
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