TRADITIONAL ECONOMIC PRACTICES OF BIRHOR TRIBE OF CHHATTISGARH AND ITS RELEVANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Indian tribes are known for their rich ethnic and cultural heritage but due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, they have been losing their unique identity. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have further endangered their culture, eroding their traditional beliefs, language, and practices. Among all these tribes of India, Birhor is one of the most endangered tribes, and it is on the verge of extinction. It is, therefore, necessary to investigate the evolving socio-cultural patterns of the vulnerable "Birhor" tribe and to put appropriate strategies and programs in place for the self-initiated preservation of indigenous tribal culture and identity.The studies on the Birhor tribes focus on either their traditional economic practices or their cultural erosion due to urbanization, but few have comprehensively analyzed how these economic adaptations influence their identity and long-term survival. Additionally, while the impact of government policies on their settlement patterns has been noted, there is limited research on how these policies have affected their livelihood sustainability and access to resources. This study state about the understanding of the inter-community dynamics between the Birhor and other tribal groups, particularly how social discrimination shapes their economic opportunities.