Study of Monpa and Other Tribes of Tawang and West Kameng Districts, Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh, the 13th geographically largest frontier State of India covering an area of 83,743 sq. km. in hilly terrain of Eastern Himalayas having population of 13,82,611 persons has 3,863 villages, living 77.33% in rural areas and 43% BPL (2011 Census). The territory was called “Terra Incognita” or No Man’s Land till the beginning of the 20th century. Here, the process of development initiated around thirty years back. Due to absence of private sector unemployment has been rising rapidly. Monpa is one of the 25 major tribes. They are inhabitant of West Kameng and Tawang districts, Buddhists by religion. Traditional industries occupy a place of fundamental importance in the lives of this tribe although this feature stands equally true for the other tribes of the State too. The present researcher has intimately lived with them for couple of years in fulfilling the mandate of an Industrial Extension Officer.The empirical study, therefore, aims to access the present scenario of these brilliant traditional industries, its financial aspects, its relevance in the development process, to seek the problems faced, it’s probable solutions and needed interventions as there is no in depth study on these issues till date under the sub-theme Rural livelihood markets and economies. Review of literature, collection of data from primary and secondary sources, documentations and researcher’s field experience etc. are the key references of the study