IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review

Salmon Jacob ¹, Jahanara ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Anthropology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

The Sahariya tribe, historic forest dwellers of Kishanganjblock in Baran district of Rajasthan, in recent years faced starvation deaths, malnutrition among children, migration, water scarcity, bonded labour, etc. The study presents the comparative analysis of the Sahariya people's perspectives on the status of environmental conditions at present and about thirty years back. The study shows the presence of very dense forests in the past in the tribal habitation areas, which has significantly degraded in the present times. There is depletion of the ground water resources in the area, and the surface water bodies which had water throughout the year in the past, today have water availability limited to 2-3 months. Their major food source was from the forest resources, and their major livelihood was collecting and selling of minor forest produce. The environmental degradation eroded their traditional food sources available at almost no cost, leaving them dependent on local markets. Secondly, dependence on local market required purchasing power, which was a challenge as their main source of livelihood was based on minor forest produce that was dwindling at an alarming rate. The study reveals that the degradation of the environment, impacted the basic resources that sustained the well-being of the Sahariya tribe over the years, and has led to a negative impact on their quality of life, their social life and also exposed them to issues of social discrimination.

Keywords

Sahariya Tribe, Environmental Degradation, Forest Resource, Rajasthan.

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Salmon Jacob ¹, Jahanara ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Anthropology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

The use of biomass burning, i.e., firewood from forests, is the main source of cooking energy of the Sahariya community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), from Kishanganjblock ofBaran district in Rajasthan. The forests in the area have dwindled over the years, as per the Rajasthan state forest reports. The people's perception of the reasons for degradation of forest in the area, indicates the role of local people in deforestation, mainly for local construction and household cooking energy needs. The dwindling forests have aggravated the struggles of Sahariya women in fetching firewood from long distances. Emissions from traditional biomass burning for cooking energy, contributes to health issues and the issue of climate change. This paper presents the study of Sahariya tribal households from Baran, who were provided with a fuel efficient cookstove, and the benefits assessed in terms of emission levels of particulates - PM10 and PM25, methane (CH4) and Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results indicate that emission levels were reduced within the prescribed standards and households were able to significantly reduce their firewood requirement. This reduction in the household emissions and reduction in firewood requirement observed in Sahariya community, can be a pragmatic solution in the collective efforts of tackling the issue of deforestation and also a positive contribution towards reducing emissions of carbon particulates and GHGs from rural households. The co-benefits include reduced stress levels among women, as firewood requirement is reduced, and improvement in overall health of family members from improved indoor air quality.

Keywords

Sahariya Tribe, Forest, Air Pollution, Health Issues, Climate Change, Fuel Efficient Cook Stoves.

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