Centre for Himalayan Studies

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    Role and status of sherpa and tamang women in forest villages of Darjeeling hills : a comperative study
    (University of North Bengal, 2023) Lama, Dipika; Bhui, Ujjwal
    Tribals are the original inhabitants of the forest and are known by different names such as Vanyajati (forest communities) and Vanavasi (inhabitants of forests). Tribals depend on the forests for food, fuelwood, timber, material for crafts, fodder, and medicinal plants, and it is often the tribal women who collect these resources. They are also known as the “Sentinels or Custodians” of forest and its natural resources. Since time immemorial these people living in the forests have developed a cordial relationship with the forest and have vast knowledge about different plant species and other forest products used for different purposes. Women are the worst victims of environmental degradation as they are solely dependent on natural resources for their livelihood. Women all over the world share a special relationship with the environment and tend to be more concerned about the availability and access to natural resources. The knowledge that the tribal women possess is generally transmitted from generation to generation and it plays an important role in the conservation and uses of forest resources. This in turn helps in alleviating the problems at the local level and it will not further lead to the conflicting situation. Various researches all over the world show that both environmental and ecological security risks affect women more than the men. The traditional concept of security focuses on the protection of state from external military threats but now it is replaced by concepts such as economic security, food security, health security, environmental security, energy security, cyber security and human security. At present non-traditional security concepts are challenges to the survival and well being of people all over the world. The present study tries to show how the tribal women residing in the forest villages of the Eastern Himalayas play a significant role in protecting the forest environment as their livelihood revolves around it. On the other hand, these women play an important role in the family and society and help contribute to the overall development of society. With this background, the present study tries to investigate the role and status of Sherpa and Tamang women residing in the forest villages of Darjeeling Hills with the help of various indicators on socio-economic factors, historical background and the Sherpa and Tamang women's relationship with the forest and the various roles played by them in the conservation of the environment. The present study is conducted in the forest villages situated in the three subdivisions of Darjeeling Hills namely Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong (presently Kalimpong subdivision is converted into a district). Darjeeling Hills is located in the northernmost part of West Bengal comprising both plains and the hills. Fifteen forest villages have been selected from Darjeeling subdivision, Kurseong subdivision and Kalimpong subdivision. From each subdivision five forest villages have been selected. Tribal communities such as Sherpas, Tamangs, Lepchas, and Bhutias are found in the study area. However, the tribal communities such as Sherpas and Tamangs are in maximum number and are found in a majority of the forest villages. So, women respondents from the Sherpa and Tamang communities have been selected for the present study. For the selection of the respondents stratified random sampling techniques have been used from the area under study. A total of 300 respondents have been selected. 150 each from Sherpa and Tamang women have been selected since it is based on the comparative study. From each subdivision, 100 respondents were interviewed and from each forest village, 20 respondents were selected. Primary and secondary techniques have been used for the collection of data. Primary data have been collected through intensive field surveys, face-to-face interaction, and observation, with the help of a semi-structured open-ended interview schedule. Whereas, secondary data is mostly collected from books, journals, newspapers, internet sources, census reports, and government reports provided by the panchayat office and the forest department. Different parameters were taken into consideration to understand the role and status of the Sherpa and Tamang women in the forest villages of Darjeeling Hills. The forest villages' geographical isolation makes them more vulnerable to initiating better economic activities for the villagers. Selected forest villages are located in different geographical settings. The majority of the forest villages are located in the hilly areas and other forest villages are located in the foothills. Since agriculture is the main occupation of the respondents, they grow different types of vegetables according to their geographical conditions. The entire agricultural operations such as seed selection, weeding, sowing, watering, and storing are performed by the women. Other economic activities include livestock rearing, daily wage workers, and other miscellaneous activities. At present, Sherpas residing in the forest villages are trying new avenues i.e. homestays and are making good profit out of it. They economically contribute to their families’ well-being which automatically enhances their status in the family and society. The role played by Sherpa and Tamang women for their family and society is commendable and their decision is crucial for the overall development of the society. Apart from these, their role in the protection of the environment is significant as they are very much concerned about the forest environment and are devoted to combating environmental degradation. Various governmental and nongovernmental agencies provided various facilities to these respondents which helped them in uplifting their status. The present study is divided into seven chapters and makes a modest attempt to study the Sherpa and Tamang communities in detail. The findings of the study will surely provide insight into the Sherpa and Tamang women who have been residing in the forest villages of Darjeeling Hills. Therefore, this study aims to delve into a deeper understanding of these tribal women residing in the Eastern Himalayas.
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    Spatial variations in the levels of development in Sikkim
    (University of North Bengal, 2013) Jana, Amar Kanti; Sahu, Rangadhar
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    Indo-Bhutan trade relations 1774-1907
    (University of North Bengal, 1991) Sen, Suparna; Misra, B. P.
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    Floriculture and floriculturists in Sikkim : a sociological study
    (University of North Bengal, 2023) Bhandari, Yashmin; Bhui, Ujjwal
    Post globalization, floriculture has become an important commercial activity m Horticulture sector. Presently, India along with China has majority of its area under flower cultivation. Though the contribution of India in global scenario is much Jess, nonetheless, floriculture in India and in different states of India has emerged as an alternate source of income. In India, floriculture is viewed as one of the upcoming industries and is accorded with hundred percent export-oriented status. Floriculture in other states of India like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal etc., is commercially done and has been able to secure leading positions in India. Likewise, Sikkim located in the western most part of Eastern Himalayas, with its geographical and environmental conditions coupled with a skilled workforce give Sikkim a definite edge in the business of floriculture. Sikkim also with its advantage in terms of climate has paved its way for floriculture. The young minds have been showing keen interest in floriculture as they look at it as an alternate source of income, a scheme for self­employment. The flowers grown earlier were mostly amateur type, in terms of the purpose for which it was grown; i.e., for beautification, or an aesthetic feel. However, things slowly and gradually changed over a period of time. People of Sikkim have always lived close with nature / have always shared a close connection with nature. The art of growing and producing from the available resources of nature has been a part and parcel of people residing in Sikkim. In the State, large number of farmers who were mostly dependent on agriculture at a point of time was involved in growing crops and vegetable as a means to sustain their lives. Over a period of time when the art of commercialization came to the fore, the crops and vegetable started to be sold in order to earn money. Likewise, Sikkim witnessed a gradual shift from agriculture to that of floriculture. The commercialization of flowers were done because it was realized by the flower farmers that farming of flowers and selling it in the market will give a high economic return, also the feel of independence to many youth and women who wanted to earn for themselves now had a chance to liberate from the guilt of not having a job. Floriculture means cultivating flowers and ornamental plant materials. It also means that these cultivated flowers and ornamental plants materials can be used for scientific purpose or for commercialization. It also includes production of their by - products such as oil, scents, medicines etc. Floriculturists are the people who farm flowers. Therefore, the present study has focused on the flower farmers/floriculturists in Sikkim. Commercializing of flowers in Sikkim has changed lives of many people affecting the parameters like socio-economy, age, gender etc. Though flower share in the national/ international market may be disheartening but the demand for flowers is continuously increasing. Therefore, this increase in demand hint on the fact that flower decoration has become a ritual for the people of Sikkim. The involvement in floriculture has also acted as a therapy to some of the floriculturists who informed the researcher during the field survey. In order to fulfil this Government of Sikkim has also taken up several steps. The support from the government's side has also helped the flower farmers to try this new avenue. It has indirectly encouraged them to accept floriculture in the state. The flower farmers are mostly middle and small scale flower growers. There are however people doing floriculture in large scale as well. The present study tries to overview and highlight the progress of floriculture industry in Sikkim so far and its impact on socio-economic conditions of the growers. In this study, both primary and secondary data from different sources has been used in order to know the present status of floriculture industries in Sikkim. In total 300 respondents were interviewed by the researcher. Apart from interview, discussion with the respondent was also included. Researcher has also included Case Studies as a part of data collection. At present Sikkim is producing cut flowers that include roses, anthurium, gladiolus etc., on a commercial scale. Sikkim is the only state in India that produces high - value cymbidium orchids. Analysis of data reveals that status in relation to income of floriculturist farmers has been changed and it shows a better picture regarding upliftment of people and a chance to earn their livelihood also providing a platform for budding entrepreneurs. The study area of the present studies include, the area in which flower cluster exist. Different places from the district of east, west, south has been taken for the study. The north district has been kept aside for the present study because there are no flower clusters in north district. Flower farmers from other district are much ahead from that of north district. I 00 samples who are flower farmers from each district ( east, west, south) were interviewed. Apart from them, government officials who are directly or indirectly in relation with floriculture was also interviewed. They were part of discussions related the present study as well. Many important information regarding governmental schemes and initiatives were given by the officials from the department of Horticulture and Cash Crops. This also helped the researcher to cross check the facts and information on the initiatives taken by the government towards floriculture. The strategies that have been adopted by the department for improving commercialisation of flowers were also discussed. Furthermore, the collection of data has been fulfilled; the analysis of the collected data has been done. Once the data from primary and secondary source was collected the analysis was made looking at both the primary and secondary data and has been highlighted and explained in qualitative and quantitative methods. This has been done through the help of tables, figures, narratives and case studies. The thesis is divided into six chapters with introduction and conclusion. The chapters have been done in a way that it fulfils the research objectives of the present study. The findings are an attempt to bridge the existing gap in floriculture and to expand the knowledge with regards to floriculture through a sociological perspective.
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    Disasters and their management in Darjeeling Himalaya
    (University of North Bengal, 2022) Subba, Aditya; Choudhury, Maitreyee
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    Indo-Bhutan trade relations 1774-1907
    (University of North Bengal, 1991) Sen, Suparna; Misra, B. P.
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    Trafficking of women in Darjeeling hills : A sociological study
    (University of North Bengal, 2022) Mukhia, Persis; Bhui, Ujjal
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    Socio-economic and political status of the bhutias in Sikkim since 1975: change and continuity
    (University of North Bengal, 2022-05) Bhutia, Karma Samten; Datta, Karubaki
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