© Kamla-Raj 2004                                                                                   J. Hum. Ecol., 16(1): 1-16 (2004)

Economic Pursuits and Strategies of Survival Among

KEYWORDS Resource Constraints. Tribal Society. Development Programmes. Governance. Corruption

ABSTRACT The present study aims to investigate the economic pursuits and activities that Damors-a tribal group of Rajasthan ensue for their survival. How these low-income tribal families in southern Rajasthan survive with small hilly landholdings, fewer sources of irrigation, traditional agricultural technology, unemployment and underemployments and strategies they adopt to make their ends meet. The present study analyzes resource conflicts among Damors and practices use to resolve them. It is assumed that the condition of these tribals and their continued survival in these environments is typical for most of the tribals in southern Rajasthan. The present position and conditions of the Damors is not an accidental affair. It has evolved because of the operation of several forces in the past. However reconstruction of tribal history has often been a difficult task, because they lack written records of their activities. Unequal distribution of land and instruments of production, unequal distribution of income and the rate of exploitation of labour characterizes the difference between tribal and non-tribal communities that inhabit southern Rajasthan. These iniquities are associated with the forces of money lending on the one hand, and political power, education etc., on the other hand. The dominant castes have better access to the co-operative and bank credit and subsidies, while the tribals tend to rely on non-institutional credit nexus.

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