Socio-economic Problems of Tribal People on Toranmal Plateau In ...

International Referred Research Journal, August, 2011. ISSN- 0974-2832, RNI-RAJBIL 2009/29954;VoL.III *ISSUE-31
Research Paper—Geography
<strong>Socio</strong>-<strong>economic</strong> <strong>Problems</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Tribal</strong> <strong>People</strong> on
Toranmal Plateau In Nandurbar District
* Dr. U.P.Suryawanshi** Pr<strong>of</strong>. R.V.Patil,
* P.G.Dept.<strong>of</strong> Geography, M.S.G.College Malegaon Camp Dist Nasik.
** PG Dept.<strong>of</strong> Geography, M.S.G.College Malegaon Camp Dist Nasik.
Introduction:
Toranmal plateau is a quantum part <strong>of</strong> Satpura
mountain forming the cultural transition between
Gujarat , Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra with its
high altitudinal (1155 meter MSL), trijunctional location
, remoteness and inaccessibility. It is almost
neglected and remained as an isolated ecosystem <strong>of</strong>
Environment , Land, and Human habitation. Hence
arrests the attention <strong>of</strong> Geographers, Environmentalist,
Geomorphologist and Ecologists. It lies in Satpura
Location Map
August, 2011
mountain which is a horst block between Narmada
graban on north and Tapi in the south.
Location <strong>of</strong> Study Area :
The study area extents between 21 46' to 21 57" north
latitude and 74 24' to 74 31' east longitudes. It is a long
rather narrow land covering an area <strong>of</strong> about 205 sq km.
and the maximum height above the mean sea level is
1155 meters nestling amongst the ever green forest <strong>of</strong>
the Satpura mountain.
Bit wise area and location
<strong>Problems</strong> related to study area:-
A) Land sliding:-
The field observation suggest that mountain topography
having steep plateau margins, tectonic setting,
seasonal heavy rainfall, deep weathering and
anthrogenic activities are the conducive factors <strong>of</strong> land
sliding. There are several other passive and active factors
which favoring the conditions to landslides.
B) Soil Degradation:-
The exposed surface <strong>of</strong> the Toranmal plateau
is intensively affected by the chemical and mechanical
weathering. The product <strong>of</strong> the chemical weathering
processes is predominantly red clay which removed
through the over land flows and run <strong>of</strong>f on the plateau.
Due to the heavy rainfall upper soil layer is washed
away and rock out crop exposed. This process is especially
dominant in the various bits. i.e. Toranmal East,
Kalapani, Jayapani and Kotbandhani.
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International Referred Research Journal,August, 2011. ISSN- 0974-2832, RNI-RAJBIL 2009/29954;VoL.III *ISSUE-31
T able N o 1 M igratio n <strong>of</strong> popu lation from T oranm al p late au as per sam p le adopted d uring 2008 -2009
N a m e <strong>of</strong> th e B it N o o f T o tal
N o o f N a m e o f T o tal
T h e n o o f % o f
villa g e/ Po p u la tion fa m ilies sa m p le Po p u la tion p eop le
m ig ra tion to
Pa d a in A ccessed
su rv ey in 2 00 8 -0 9 m ig ra tin g th e to tal
B it
20 01
villa g e
seas on a lly p op u la tion
Jh ap i 15 36 5 9 77 2 - - - -
Shind hidiger 12 32 5 1 53 2 - - - -
T oran m a l E ast 04 69 6 18 6 02 43 1 24 5 56 .8 4
T oran m a l W est 08 20 6 0 43 6 02 13 9 0 77 6 55 .8 2
K alap ani 10 14 8 5 30 6 - - - -
K hadki 08 15 8 9 42 1 01 35 0 29 5 84 .2 8
M oda lg a on 10 33 3 0 71 4 02 94 5 48 0 50 .7 9
Jayap an i 04 35 5 78 - - - -
K otb an dh a ni 06 17 3 8 26 4 02 90 8 46 5 51 .2 1
T otal 77 18 7 23 37 0 9 09 40 2 4 22 6 1 56 .1 8
C) Community co-ordination problem:
The tribal people <strong>of</strong> this area Pawara and Bhilla
communities have different ancestral history. Bhillas
are aboriginal and Pawara communities are migrated
from other states. The inherent occupation <strong>of</strong> Bhilla was
hunting and shifting cultivation. The Pawara Migrated
here for teak wood cutting. Therefore both the communities
are also occupationally different. Hence they are
facing the community co-ordination problem since past.
D) Health and malnutrition Problem:-
The agriculture is traditional and comparatively
less productive in this area. It is facing several
problems like, soil erosion, soil degradation climatic
extremities and hazards. Therefore agriculture products
are very poor and unsustainable to the tribal population.
Even the basic needs <strong>of</strong> the tribal are not fulfilled
by their <strong>economic</strong> activities.
E) Seasonal migration
The main subsistence in this area is agriculture,
which depends upon monsoon. Nearly 137 families
have very small land holding whereas 154 families
depend upon trespass land <strong>of</strong> forest. The trespass lands
are owned by forest department. Therefore forest department
creates troubles to the peasants. Hence such
lands are low yielding in agricultural products. Moreover
yields on trespass land are less than regular lands.
Therefore agricultural products are not sufficient to
survive or sustain the population in this area.
See Table No 1 09 Villages have been selected for
seasonal migration survey. Out <strong>of</strong> the total 3709 families,
2261 families from villages are migrated every year
after monsoon season in search <strong>of</strong> work. Deterioration
<strong>of</strong> forest and degradation <strong>of</strong> soil are the major causes.
Landless tribals are generally mobile in search <strong>of</strong> jobs
like brick work, sugar cane cutting, labours in construction
site, farm keeper, watchman etc. Their income is too
poor to manage a onetime food in day. This is the main
cause behind the malnutrition.
2) Lack <strong>of</strong> health facilities:-
The public health centers are available in very
few places like Tornmal and Ranipur due to the remote
mountainous topography and inaccessibility. But doctors
are not available in such centers. Consequently,
tribal people rely on traditional methods <strong>of</strong> treatments.
Infants are becomes weak as they kept away from the
breast feed for several days.
4 Suggestion and remedial measures to mitigate the
problem <strong>of</strong> malnutrition:-
1) Every child birth and death should be registered and
should be checked immediately after his birth by a registered
medical pediatrist doctor. Further each child
should be checked at least after every 2 to 3 months by
the doctor.
2) Food for the mother and baby should be provided at
a free cost by the government when they need.
3) The maternity progress <strong>of</strong> the pregnant woman should
be checked after 2 to 3 months by a medical practitioner.
R E F E R E N C E
Bhamare S.M. and Suryawanshi U.P (2008)-"Textural and chemical characteristics <strong>of</strong> soils <strong>of</strong> the Toranmal plateau in Satpura
mountain <strong>of</strong> Nandurbar District <strong>of</strong> Maharastra."-paper presented at the International Conference Organized <strong>of</strong> Barkttula
University, Bhopal. Bhamare S.M and U.P. Suryawanshi (2007) "Impact <strong>of</strong> Relief and slope on land use <strong>of</strong> Toranmal plateau"
Research Link - 44 Vol (9) Nov. Page No. 41-44 Choudhari Buddhadeb (1982) <strong>Tribal</strong> Development in India - problem and prospects.
Inter India Publications, New Delhi. Pagare M.S.- Pawara Lokgitatil loksanskruti Patil P.G. and V.U. Borse- (2000). <strong>Socio</strong>-
Economic status <strong>of</strong> Kokani tribe <strong>of</strong> Dhule district, <strong>Tribal</strong> research and training institute, Pune. Vol XXII No.2 March.
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