Impact of Climate Change on Tribal Livelihood and Culture

In India, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) provide sustenance to a large number of forest-dependent communities (FDCs), especially tribals, by meeting their domestic as well as economic needs. India and other developing countries have among those most seriously impacted by the consequences of climate change. A study has been conducted in Bastar forest division of Chhattisgarh. The data has been collected by interview from various stakeholders residing in the forest villages such as NTFPs collector, traders, government officials as well as forest department staffs who were involved to implementation of conservation of biodiversity in these villages. Moreover, metrological data (temperature, humidity and rainfall last 20 years) have also been consulted for this study. Climate change impacts are affecting the food, health and economic security of these tribal communities as forest areas go through drought or flood conditions. The study attempted at understanding climate change effect on NTFP-related activities and adaptive measures taken by local tribal communities to cope with climate change challenges. The study also reveals that NTFPs production rate decreases due to declining of rainfall, increasing temperature and other factors. The ecologically sustainable development need must be necessary among the people of the study area.