Tribal development in Himachal Pradesh: Policy, Programmes, and Performance (An Old and Rare Book)

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Fascinating land and peculiar socio-cultural traditions, values and customs of the tribals in Himachal Pradesh have perennially attracted adventurous travellers and anthropologists. They have made available to us a good amount of information about the unique geo-physical setting and the struggling yet simple and colourful life of the people of tribal areas. There has been however, virtually no literature on economics of the region. The present book is aimed at filling this gap.

The study focuses on the changing economic scenario of the tribal area and examines as to how far planned effort has succeeded in its objective of raising its economy to the level of development achieved by the State as a whole. The sub-plan strategy in itself is a positive and very useful innovation for overall development of the tribal areas. Nevertheless, its efficacy has built-in limitation rooted in the usual mechanical process of its formulation and implementation. These limitations become pronounced when the tribal areas have peculiarities far removed from the general tribal perspective. The tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh fall in this typical category and this region demands area specific and need-based approach to economic development. To be precise the pace of economic development could get proper and sustained impetus if policies and programmes are innovative and in tune with the ground realities. The book examines inter- and intra-regional disparities in the level of economic development of the different tribal belts of the Pradesh and suggests suitable strategies for each. Besides, it examines the problem of absolute poverty and extent of exploitation in the tribal region.

Dr. H. S. Parmar (b. 1951) Μ.Α., Ph.D. is currently serving as Associate Professor in Economics, Directorate of Correspondence Courses, Himachal Pradesh University. He specialises in tribal studies and rural development. He has been engaged in teaching and research for about two decades.

My interest in the area of tribal development arose about five years ago when I got a chance to visit some of the tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh. Initially it was planned to prepare a book on socio-economic development of tribals. After pursing the theme for some time, it was found out that my limitations were too in- tense to venture such a vast and comprehensive, study based mainly on primary information. It was at this stage that I decided, for the time being, to go ahead with the preparation of the book in its present form. Knowing fully the limitations of the study based on secondary sources, I take on myself the responsibility of evading rigorous and hard exercise. But having completed the present work also gives me reasonable satisfaction. I would take my humble effort as a success if the present book provokes even a single per- son to venture into the exploration of the hitherto almost unexplored area of tribal development in Himachal Pradesh. This area provides immense possibilities for serious research.

In the completion of the work I have been benefited by the in- spiration I drove from my teachers, mainly Dr. D. D. Narula, Prof. L. R. Sharma, Prof. D. S. Kushwaha and Prof. Roshan Khosla. It is impossible to relieve myself of their debt. I am grateful to Prof. B. D. Dhawan who, on every available opportunity, inspired and encouraged me. My thanks are also due to my colleagues Dr. N.K. Sharda, Dr. V. K. Khanna, Dr. S. K. Gupta and Dr. T. L. Sharma who helped in more than one way.

Two persons deserve special mention here. One is Shri S. C. Mahajan, Principal, University Evening College, Simla, who al- ways kept track of my work and invariably pulled me up when- ever he noticed slackness in me.