Impacts of Government Policies on Sustenance of Tribal ... - Samata

was available only during the rainyseason, and with only oneagricultural crop they had more timeon their hands which they spendworking as migrants in cities andtowns nearby. Both daily wage andmigration contributed to the incomes<strong>of</strong> the household, but conservation <strong>of</strong>soil and water resources and inputsto improve fertility <strong>of</strong> land can helpincrease agricultural production,grow greater variety <strong>of</strong> crops andthereby reduce migration to a greatextent. The income and expenditure account<strong>of</strong> tribal families, where only cashtransactions are concerned, does notnecessarily show a pr<strong>of</strong>it or afavourable balance. However, it isimportant to keep in mind that alarge part <strong>of</strong> the household needs <strong>of</strong>food, fuelwood, timber andmedicines are met from agricultureand the forests for which they do notincur any cash expenditure. Theirlimited expenditure on the PDSsystem for the food items is a clearindication <strong>of</strong> this. The system <strong>of</strong>barter also exists where, forexample, forest produce liketamarind are exchanged for itemslike jaggery. Debts incurred are paid<strong>of</strong>f by pledging a part <strong>of</strong> the nextyear’s agricultural produce, yieldfrom trees or NTFP collected fromthe forest. This dependence on thenatural resources and subsistenceagriculture needs to beacknowledged by consideringsustainable livelihood options. TheThe local santha is a vibrant economic space usedextensively by the adivasislocal markets santhas, are animportant aspect <strong>of</strong> the economiclife <strong>of</strong> the adivasis. It is accessed byeach <strong>of</strong> the families to buy, sell andbarter produce and goods. Thecumulative business transacted inthese markets would translate intoconsiderable monetary terms andtheir importance needs to berecognised.The tribal peoples’ life is inextricably linkedto the land, water resources and forests.Conserving and protecting resources,developing methods to improve yields,encouraging sustainable use <strong>of</strong> resourcesshould be given priority. Developingsuitable market linkages will enable them toget appropriate prices for their produce. Theregion also receives a large number <strong>of</strong>tourists and there is considerable scope forpromoting eco-tourism in these parts. Donein collaboration with the local adivasicommunities it can help not only conservethe natural resources but provide anadditional source <strong>of</strong> income. Along with thisit is integral to provide development supportin education, health and necessaryinfrastructure like accessible roads andtransport facilities with a serious intent toimprove the quality <strong>of</strong> life <strong>of</strong> the adivasisinstead <strong>of</strong> the mock publicity <strong>of</strong> providingthem as was seen in the road constructionfor the Birla Periclase calcite mining projectin Nimmalapadu. The people’s campaignopposing mining and the road constructionbetween 1992 and 1994 was projected as ananti-development campaign by thegovernment which argued that the road wasbeing constructed for the utility <strong>of</strong> the localvillages and for providing public transportto them. However, even after almost twodecades <strong>of</strong> the road being built, there is nopublic transport provided by the governmentwhich clearly shows that the road was onlymeant for the mining company. The villages<strong>of</strong> Nimmalapadu and around still do nothave a government primary school either.57