Resources and Livelihood Strategies of the Shompen: An Overview

Abstract

Understanding the variation of resources in the ‘aborigines’ life cycle in relation to optimal allocation of resources is the central concern of today’s life history theory. Now-a-days due to unrestrained human intervention, the ecosystems both terrestrial and marine are witnessing negative changes. For forest dwelling societies, who depend on the forest to fulfil bulk of their needs, these changes do not augur well of their future. Forest is an inseparable part of tribal life. Most of the tribal communities live in and around forests. The forests provide them with edible fruits and leaves, roots and tubers, honey, and water etc. The symbiotic relationship existing between the tribal people and the forests is not confined to the economic activities alone. This symbiotic relation depends upon the fulfilling the human needs without irreversibly damaging the recuperative capacity of ecosystem. For tribal communities the forest serves as the life support systems and they take all preventions against destruction of forest and forest wealth. The Shompen, a mongoloid tribe, inhabit in the Great Nicobar Island of the Nicobar group of islands. They are in semi nomadic stage and live in the interior forest of the Great Nicobar Island. Along with other means of subsistence, fishing is one of their main sources of livelihood what they practice in the traditional way by exploiting the forest ecology. As a member of ecosystem communities, the Shompen always tries to make optimum utilization of the sweet water fishes as well as marine water resources. The present study attempts to discuss about the availability of natural resources and their sustainable use by the Shompen in the realm of livelihood pattern. In addition, the study also tries to find out suitable strategies for sustainable development of the Shompen keeping in view the cultural integrity of the region, fragility of ecosystem, preservation of biological diversity and maintenance of life support system