Socio-economic status of forest-based rural artisans in mid-hill zone of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

In the mid-hill zone of Himachal Pradesh rural artisans were identified who had been making various products such as bamboo products, mats, brooms, kids bats, Dona-Pattal and pine needle products. It was found that this work was mainly practised by the scheduled caste category. Most of the activities were performed by the middle aged group and illiterate persons. The participation of female folk was more in almost all the activities except kids bats making. In most of the activities raw material was mainly procured from forest land. The raw material for kids bats making was procured from private land only. Most of the products were sold locally whereas the kids bats were sold to the local shopkeepers. The income of the artisans ranged from Rs 165 to 230 per day including their wages and profit. Thus annual income from these activities ranged from Rs 3, 000 to 5, 000 per annum. Only 11 per cent respondents reported that their income reached up to Rs 10, 000 per annum. It was found that these activities were only seasonal and not much profitable. The rural folk cannot depend on these activities for livelihood as these provide a part time employment. It was found that those engaged in the profession were leaving it and the young generation was preferring to migrate to cities to earn their livelihood. It is doubted that this profession may become extinct in years to come. To sustain the rural artisans and make the profession more lucrative some policy measures and judicious planning is required.