Role of Livestock in Sustainable Living for Soliga tribe in B R Hills of Karnataka

Abstract

Tribals are indigenous communities living in forests since centuries having distinct culture, sharing commonalities with marginalized sections of society. Many positive features of tribal society must be appreciated. Non-tribal people have much to learn from the richness of tribal cultures and systems of knowledge. Tribal population in India, though a numerically small, has an enormous diversity. The Soliga tribe in B. R. Hills of Karnataka is weakest among the all tribal communities existing in India. Crop enterprise and collection of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) could not help to increase their livelihood due to poor productivity and stringent government regulations. Tribals are the guardians of nature and play a crucial role in environmental conservation.  The tribal households depend on animal husbandry to improve their socioeconomic status. Research need to be undertaken to encourage tribals to adopt animal rearing practices in a scientific manner.