Tribal Development Debate: A Study of Dards in Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

The tribal population in India, though a numerically small minority, represents an enormous diversity of groups. They vary among themselves in respect of language and linguistic traits, ecological settings in which they live, the extent of acculturation, dominant modes of making a livelihood, level of development and social stratification (Xaxa Report 2014). In order to understand the process of development, analysis of socio-economic background of respondents is of utmost necessity. In fact it creates an important climate for the development of society at large. Hence this paper attempts to discuss the development of socio-economic profile among the Dard tribe of Bandipora.