Ecological hazards triggered by rampant deforestation and other factors have made the primitive communi
ties, especially the Birhors,living in the lap of nature,
endangered. Along with restoration of ecology, the Birhors need an identity of a human being. A study conducted by research scholars Sunita Sharma and Amrendra Kishore on the socio-economic conditions of Birhors of Jharkhand reveal basic ecological problem and the half-hearted attempts made to
transform the lives of Birhors from nomadic to sedentary.The study concludes that the
'saga of the Birhor tribe folksis turning from bad to worse with passing time.'

The name ?Birhor? is derived from the Mundari dialect, where ?Bir? means forest) and ?hor? means man ?man of the jungle. Through the ages, Birhor folk have been living a nomadic life. Anthropologists have classified Birhor tribals as a proto-austroloid species and their language has been kept in Mundari group of languages.

?Loss of perpetual rights on forest resources, lack of employment opportunities, unfulfilled promises by politicians and hankering for bread and butter, these people are leading a miserable life. In 1971, their population in the Chotanagpur region was 3,598. In 1981, it touched 4,377. According to the Indian National Trust for the Welfare of Tribals (Intwot) survey their population now is 5017 in this state,? the study indicates.

According to research, the Birhors traditionally hunt all animals found in the rich forested regions of Chotanagpur. They were experts in trapping monkeys. Gari-Sendra (monkey-hunt) happened to be the occasion of gorgeous events in the life of the Birhors. It called for well-organised hunting campaigns with direct intervention of experts.

Monkey-catchers required large, strong nets, made ready through close cooperation of the people within the temporary or semi-permanent settlements. Sometimes inter-settlement cooperation and participation was sought to make monkey-catching successful. The tribe used to feast upon the catch by lighting up bonfires.

The study indicates that with disappearance of monkeys from Chotanagpur forests, the Birhors have deviated from this mode of hunting, But hunting other animals and collection of forest products continue to be in vogue among the tribe folk.

As a result of ?rapid dwindling forest cover trigerred by large-scale industrialisation and urbanisation,? the Birhors find no opportunity to hunt or collect requirements of life from the jungles.

In Jharkhand, forest ecology has failed to provide even the basics to the Birhor, the study indicates, adding that imposition of National Forest Policy by the Union government needs to provide complete exemption to hunting tribes. It also suggests the need for moulding the lifestyle of Birhors by resettling them and bringing them ?under the economic habit based on production of crops.?

?They do not know about their ancestors, history, traditions and customs. Away from normal life, Birhor men are living without sorrow or delight. The irony of fate has grabbed their spontaneity, innocence and nobility. After half a century of Swaraj, these tribals have lost their possessions, honour and hope,? the study says.

Records with the Tribal Welfare Commission in Ranchi points out that in 1991-92, the welfare department of the erstwhile Bihar government released Rs. 12,52,800 for the welfare of tribals. The funds were to be spent towards promoting agriculture, health services, blanket distribution hand-spinning wheel training and milk preservation. The total expenditure was Rs 11,39,4981. ?Under the Tribal Area sub-plan, Rs 3.37 crore were given, of which not a penny was spent. Of the Rs 5.97 crore allocated for primary education, only Rs 22 lakh was utilised. Under Malaria Eradication programme, Rs 38.60 crore was given to Bihar government, but only Rs 2.80 crore was spent. Whatever amount has been circulated for development of tribal areas has achieved 11 per cent of the objectives,? the report added.

The study made certain suggestions pointing that the failure of services and facilities provided by the government proved that projects were never functional among members of the Birhor community. ?It becomes extremely necessary for voluntary sector?s role for development of this community,? the study suggested.

The cause of the current situation is economic instability. ?Other sources of employment have to be tapped andtraining is an important component. Agriculture has to be facilitated with modern technique,? the report suggested.

Salman Ravi