The Occupational Structure of Hill Korwa with Reference to Sarguja District

Rashmi Kujur^1*, Nister Kujur², Sanjay Kumar Singh³, Shubham Bhardwaj⁴

¹Department of Sociology, Govt. Pt. Shyamacharan Shukla College, Raipur (C.G.)

²SOS in Sociology, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (C.G.)

³Department of Commerce, Govt. Pt. Shyamacharan Shukla College, Raipur (C.G.)

⁴Mahant Lakshminarayan Das College, Raipur,(C.G.)

Abstract: Tribals are an inseparable part of Indian society, and despite living in remote areas, their contribution to Indian culture and society is unparalleled. The development of these individuals is critical to India's long-term development goals. A sizable proportion of this population lives in far-flung and remote areas with hilly terrain. They primarily rely on forest products and agriculture for a living. The research focuses on their occupational structure as well as the impact of today's rapidly changing modern ecosystem on these individuals. The purpose of this study is to draw the attention of government officials to the research and development of the tribal people who live there.

Keywords: Hill Korwa, Occupational Structure, Sarguja, Minor Forest Produce, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Minor Forest Produce

Introduction

There is no precise definition or criterion for classifying a tribe as a human group. However, different researchers defined it in different ways at different times. They referred to "Tribe" as "aboriginal," "depressed classes," or "Adivasis" at times. Typically, a 'tribe' is a group of people who acknowledge the authority of a chief and regard themselves as descended from the same ancestor during a primitive or barbarous stage of development.

The United Nations Organization give the definition of Indigenous people as “Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.” (United Nations Organisation, n.d.)

In the Indian Context, T.B Naik has given the following features of tribes:

•        A tribe should have the least functional interdependence within the community.

•        Economically backward (i.e., primitive and traditional means of exploiting natural resources, the tribal economy should be at an underdeveloped stage and have multifarious economic pursuits).

•        A comparative geographical isolation of its people.

•        Having a common dialect.

•        Politically unorganized, and community panchayat should be influential.

•        Have their own customary laws. (Tribal society, Definition of tribal society, Meaning of tribal society, tribal problems in India, Indian tribes, Tribal way of life in India, n.d.)

As per Ralph Linton Tribe may be a group of bands occupying a contiguous territory or territories and having a feeling or sense of unity deriving from numerous similarities in culture, frequent contacts, and a certain community of interests.

L.M Lewis believes that tribal societies are small in scale, are restricted within the spatial and temporal range of their social, political, and legal relations, and possess a morality, religion, and broader view of corresponding dimensions. Tribal languages are unwritten; hence, the extent of communication in time and space is integrally narrow. On the other hand, tribal societies exhibit a remarkable economy of design and have a compactness and self-sufficiency lacking in modern society.

The Korwa community is basically Munda which resides primarily between the border of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, with an uneven population in north-central India (Deogaonkar, 1986). The Korwa ST community is divided into two major Sub-groups The Dih or DihadiKorwa (Korwaof the Plains) And the PahadiKorwa (Korwaof the Hills). In Chhattisgarh, the Hill Korwa Population is concentrated in the northern districts Such Sarguja, Korba, Balrampur, Jashpur, with traces also living in the Raigarhand Sakti districts. The community of Korwais subdivided into tribal clans; the main Clans of Korwaare the Hasadwar, Mudhiyar, Idgewar, and Sammathwar.

The proportion of a country's workforce involved in various economic activities is referred to as its occupational structure. The percentage of the total working population engaged in agriculture and closely related activities and the percentage in manufacturing and service industries can be calculated using the country's occupational structure. In India, some 64 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture alone. The proportion of the population is dependent upon the secondary and tertiary sectors.

The occupational structure of a country's workforce is a key indicator of its economic development. A well-developed workforce is able to contribute to the growth of the economy and provide the necessary skills and knowledge to support new industries. A country with a poorly developed workforce, on the other hand, will struggle to compete in the global marketplace and may find it difficult to attract foreign investment. (Boskin, 1974) (al, 1980) (Filer, 1986) (Gill, 1989)

There are a number of factors that contribute to a country's occupational structure. The most important of these is the level of education and training of the workforce. A country with a highly educated and skilled workforce will be able to take advantage of new technologies and industries, whereas a country with a poorly educated workforce will be at a disadvantage. Another important factor is the age of the workforce. A country with a young workforce will have a greater potential for growth than a country with an older workforce. This is because younger workers are more likely to be able to learn new skills and adapt to new technologies. The size of the workforce is also a key factor. A country with a large workforce will be able to produce more goods and services than a country with a smaller workforce. This is because a larger workforce can be divided into more specialized groups, each of which can focus on a particular task. Finally, the composition of the workforce is also important. A country with a workforce that is heavily biased towards one particular industry or sector will find it difficult to diversify its economy. On the other hand, a more diversified workforce will be better equipped to handle economic shocks and adapt to changing conditions. A well-developed workforce is essential for a country to compete in the global marketplace and attract foreign investment.

In rural tribal India, the occupational structure is dominated by agriculture. Other important occupations include forestry, animal husbandry, and fishing. A small minority of the population is engaged in manufacturing and other industrial activities. Trade and transportation are also important, although to a lesser extent.

In a tribal society, the primary source of livelihood is agriculture and the collection of forest produce. Casual vocational labor is performed by mostly unorganized and unskilled people.

Methodology

Taking all the surveyed facts and figures into consideration, this present study outlines the following objectives –

Objectives

·         To collect information and analyze them as per the situation of the area.

·         To understand the occupational patterns of the tribals

·         To analyze the impact of covid 19 pandemic on the occupational patterns

·         To access a clearer picture of the economic conditions of the Hill Korwa Tribals

·         To study the ground reality of the socio-economic conditions of the tribals.

·         To suggest and recommend for the future action plans.

·         To test the effectiveness of the welfare schemes of government with relation to hill Korwa tribals

Research Design

The Research was conducted in the Tribal Areas of SargujaDistrict.A descriptive design-based study was conducted to gain insights into the subjects. Primary information was derived through the interview of the individuals, using an interview schedule.

Sampling

While following a random sampling procedure, the samples were taken from 88households from 13 villages of the various development block of SargujaDistrict, these being Ambikapur, Lundra, Batauli, Sitapur, Mainpat, and Lakhanpur to conduct the study in the universe. The universe consists of a combined population of 10632, with Total households being 2659 and no of villages being 127; the sample comes to 10% representation of the total villages under study.

Primary Sources

Individual Interview: The data used in the study is collected by the method of direct interviews taken from households. Where the criteria for the interview were set to anyone from the family who has or had been getting income from any source at a certain point in time. The respondents were asked about their family, monthly or yearly income, ration card type, occupation, current employment status, educational status, etc.

Observation

The non-participant observation was conducted in addition to the abovementioned approaches to get additional insights and round out the collected data.

Secondary Sources

Data on the concept and setting of the developmental activities were gathered from secondary sources. The published works, peer-reviewed articles, and unpublished documents were all used as sources of support. For the aforementioned reason, records from the relevant district-level government department were also consulted.

Points in the study

·         It is assumed that participating subjects are, or at any point in time, earning income for the family

·         The supplementary income of the family is also clubbed into the family income

Limitations of the Study

The present piece of research has certain limitations, which the authors feel free to share:

· Hesitance and misinformation were also prevalent among villagers. People were skeptical about giving information. However, care was taken to ensure the participation of highly discreet individuals by structuring discussions and soliciting the opinions of these members.

Study Area

Sarguja is a coastal district situated on the northern side of Chhattisgarh. It lies between 23 degrees 37 minutes 25 seconds and 2 degrees 6 minutes 17 seconds north latitude and 81 degrees 3 minutes 0 seconds and 8 degrees minutes 0 seconds east longitude. The district area is 15,732 square kilometers (9795 square miles). It is one of the areas with a very rich biodiversity of flora and fauna in Chhattisgarh. It is divided into eight tehsils Or Administrative Blocks, namely Ambikapur, Lundra, Batauli, Sitapur, Mainpat, Udaipur, and Lakhanpur. There are three river basins in the Suguja district – of the Hasdeo River, the Rihand River, and the Kanhar River. In winters temperature dips to below 5 °C (41 °F), and in summers, it rises above 46 °C (115 °F). The soil of the Surguja district can be classified into four main categories: red and yellow soils, alluvial soils, laterite soils, and medium green soils. Tribal people make up the majority of the population. These primitive tribes include the Pando and Korwa, who continue to live in the forest. The Pando tribe considers themselves to be a member of the Mahabharata's "Pandav" clan. The Korwa tribes consider themselves to be "Kauravs" from the Mahabharata.

5. Trends in population

5.1 Total no. of the population of the universe

The universe consists of a combined population of 10632, Total households being 2659 and no of villages being 127 in the tribal areas of Sarguja, Chhattisgarh, their houses are scattered, and they are mostly dependent on the forest produce for their livelihood. The combined total Hill Korwa population of the 12 villages is 1997, out of which the male population is 992, and the female population is 1005. The sex ratio of the total universe is 1013, a little higher than the national sex ratio, i.e., 940, as per the 2011 census.

Level OF Education

The level of education is the primary indicator of the development of a society. The Literacy level of respondents is found to be acutely low; however, the increase of local primary schools and residential schools has contributed a lot to educate the rising young generation. The Education level among the young generation is found to be higher as compared to the older generations.

The result showed that out of the total samples, only 50% population is literate. Only 29.5 %of them have completed their primary school, followed by 25% of respondents who have passed Middle school. 0% of the respondent has managed to do their graduation. This shows that the area's literacy rate is very low and miserable.

Monthly Income

The Income reflects the standard of living of the tribals. Rural households receive income from a variety of sources, including agriculture, livestock, wage labour, and other non-farming pursuits. The economic study suggests that most of the villagers earn an income of up to Rs. 3000 per month or Rs. 36000 a year, which is lower than the national rural income of Rs. 5000 per month as determined by the socio-economic caste census. The primary occupation is agriculture and manual labour. The daily mean income of a house hold stood Rs. 10.

Type of occupation

Hill Korwa is primarily engaged in the primary sector. People are mainly employed in multiple jobs. Agriculture is the largest employer, and farming labor comes in handy; some people also go out of the village in search of employment

Agriculture

Primitive subsistence farming is a type of agriculture that is based on simple tools and methods that are often used by a single family or small group. This type of farming is often done in areas with poor soil and limited water resources. Primitive subsistence farming is still prevalent among the tribals. It is still practiced among the patches of tribals using primitive tools such as hoes, digging sticks, and community labor. This farming method is heavily dependent upon the monsoon, soil fertility of soil and suitability of the environment. It is also affected by the soil type in the area as well as the environmental conditions. It is observed that Hill Korwa completely relies on primitive subsistence farming. The technical advancements in the agricultural sector are known to them, but it is not accessible to them due to the high cost and remoteness of the settlement. Agricultural produce is dominated by Rice. Most people who do not own any agricultural land prefer to work in relatives’ fields in order to earn a share out of the agricultural produce. Corn and Arhar Gram are other popular crops that are Preferred by the Hill Korwa. Corn and its remnants are used as animal fodder. Few households also prefer selling corn produce, but only in select urban shops, not government stores.

Collection of minor Forest Produce

The collection of forest produce in rural areas sale of firewood, mahua fruits, tendu leaf, and bamboo to the traders is an important source of income for the Hill Korwa People. This activity provides them with the much-needed financial support to meet their basic needs. The forest produces collection employs all age groups, including old people, children, and women. It acts as a stable income source for them. The sale of timber by rural people is a common practice in many Villages. In some cases, timber is the only source of income for Tribals. In other cases, rural people may sell timber to supplement their income. However, it is highly unorganized, and tribals complain about not getting adequate work remuneration. They tend to sell the minor forest produce in the local market to private individuals and local businesses.

Positive Effect Of MNREGA

The MGNREGA has had a positive impact on the lives of tribals in India. The act has helped to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living of tribals. It has also created employment opportunities for tribals and helped them to become financially independent. The MGNREGA has also helped to improve the infrastructure in rural areas. However, there are some limitations of this policy in this area. These are:-

1.      Lack of awareness: Many people are not aware of the scheme and its benefits. This is one of the main reasons for its failure.

2.      Lack of skilled workers: The scheme has failed to provide skilled workers. This has led to a decline in the quality of work.

3.      Lack of transparency: The scheme has been marred by allegations of corruption and lack of transparency. Delay in the discharge of wages discourages the tribals from opting for MGNREGA scheme.

4.      Limited coverage: The scheme has only been able to benefit a limited number of people. Hill-Korwa Tribals Tend to live in remote areas of Forests and hills, where it becomes difficult for local bodies to administer employment to these tribals.

5.      Low Wage rate: The scheme is limited by in adequacy of wages provided by the administration. It is observed that even though the wage is provided accurately, the days of employment are less than the days it guarantees

6.      Administrative Inefficiencies:  such as limitations of Bank transfer, Lack of accurate data

Animal Husbandry

The findings show Animal Husbandry is one of the major activities of the tribals; it engages over 61.36% of the tribals.

Migration

Almost a meager 9% of households migrate to urban areas. Usually, tribals like to sell forest produce for their consumption; therefore, people rarely migrate to other places for their livelihood. The tribals don’t want to leave their community. They like to be united with jal, jungle, and jameen in their own area. People choose to live in their own community and practice their traditional occupations rather than move to urban areas for better opportunities.

 Conclusion

The study addresses many issues directly related to the socio-economic status of the tribal community of the Surguja district, such as their social institutions, literacy rate, and sources of income. According to the current study, the majority of tribal people are still illiterate and impoverished. It was discovered that food habits were nearly identical in all villages. The effects of planned developmental intervention in the tribal communities from 1951 to 2022, a period of 20 years of intervention, did not significantly improve the conditions of the communities. The results show there is barely any change in their primitive habits.

The impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of tribals has been significant. Other findings in the research show there is barely any case of infection of covid 19 from the tribals; the separation and remoteness have kept them far from the health impact of covid. But it has added to the problems of hill Korwa tribals economically. This has led to a decline in their overall standard of living. Many tribals have also lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic, further exacerbating the situation. (Kujur, COVID-19 Pandemic and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Hill Korwa of Chhattisgarh: A Pilot Study, 2022)

The traditional beliefs of the Hill Korwa significantly impact the health and lifestyle of the Hill Korwa. The traditional ethoses are determined by their surroundings, community, knowledge, beliefs, faith, and ideals. These ideas also determine their livelihood, occupation, transport, migration, and economic patterns. It is necessary to understand their cultural and traditional values which will help in the better sustainable development of this tribe (Kujur).

Fundings and Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Indian Council of Social Science Research, whose funding made it possible for the Research Paper ‘Empirical Study about the impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Particularly Vulnerable  Tribal Groups Hill Korwa of Chhattisgarh’ to be published. We also extend our gratitude to the Our Institute ‘Pt. Shayamacharan Shukla College’ that approved the research, and also facilitated its conduct.

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