Tribal People of Central India: Problems and Prospects

Dr. B.M. Mukherjee & Dr. Farhad Mollick

Jan 2022 · K.K. Publications

About this ebook

This book contains 26 papers presented at the National Seminar on Tribal People of Central India: Problems and Prospects organized by the Department of Anthropology, Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya in collaboration with Anthropologic Survey of India under the convenorship of Dr. FarhadMollick. The papers are arranged into four sections in such a way that they bring out a clear picture of the status of tribal communities in Central India. The tribes in India constitute the weaker section of the population from ecological, economic and educational angles. Illiteracy, poverty, ill-health and malnutrition continue to be higher among the scheduled tribes than any other section of the population. Despite the constitutional provision and various legal protections, the problem of land alienation has multiplied. There are other problems such as indebtedness, exploitation, loss of natural resources and indigenous knowledge system. The provision of law under different Acts for safeguarding their interest and maintaining their identity remains largely unimplemented. The issues related to tribal policy, socio-cultural context, tribal health and tribal economy have been discussed in the book from the viewpoints of anthropologists and other specialists working on tribal communities.

About the author

Dr. B. M. Mukherjee

Dr. B. M. Mukherjee is a well-known scholar of Anthropological and Sociological Studies. He obtained M.A. & Ph.D. degree from Ranchi University. He has received two University Gold medals for retaining top position in Graduation and M.A. He has also received National and International honor awards from the National and International Institute. The major part of Mukherj ee's published work is in the field of ethnic study. Besides his books, he has published more than 30 research papers in national & international journals. In 1998 he was invited to serve as Visiting Scientist by the Appalachian State University, Boone, USA. He has conducted extensive anthropological fieldwork in West Bengal, Bihar, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh & part of Maharashtra mostly in tribal villages with sporadic focus on urban centers. Currently, he is serving as Professor of Anthropology in Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya at Wardha. Dr. Mukherjee held many important appointments like an associate professor in Manipur University, Imphal (1985-89) and Professor and Head of Anthropology Department in Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur. He attended The World Congress of Anthropological & Ethnological Sciences at Delhi in 1978 and at Williamsburg Virginia, the USA in 1998. As Dean of Faculty of Life Science in Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, Dr. Mukherjee contributed immensely to Curriculum Development and interdisciplinary studies.

 

Dr. FarhadMollick

Dr. FarhadMollick born on 3rd July 1969 is currently working as a Reader and Head of the Department in Anthropology at Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha, Maharashtra. He did his Graduation from Calcutta University. He holds a Masters's degree in Anthropology from Ravishankar Shukla University. He did his Doctorate on Ethnicity and Tribal Unrest: An Anthropo-logical inquiry in Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. He specializes in socio-cultural anthropology with a special interest in tribal studies. His important publications include Gondwana: Whether Political or Socio-Cultural Reality (1999), Gond Revivalism and Reintegration (1999), Displacement and Resettlement: Relocates of Gevra Area (2000), Movement among the Gonds of Chhattisgarh (2004), Rituals in Halba festivals (2009). He executed a research project on the Cultural Context and Environmental Dimensions of Baiga Health sponsored by the Chattisgarh Council of Science and Technology. The project on Health status among the Baiga of Chhattisgarh sponsored by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India and Wildlife Conservation and Issues of Tribal Rights sponsored by the UGC are ongoing projects. He organized a good number of seminars and workshops on important and Crucial socio-cultural issues. Some of his studies have been mentioned in this book.