Livelihood and vulnerability of the Santals community in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study is about the livelihood of one of the Bangladesh ethnic tribal communities, the Santals.  Being the minority, the Santals faces some challenges to adjust to political, social, economic and natural changes that came in their way during the last three hundred years. Due to multi-sectoral industrial development, the natural resources which are the primary sources of livelihood for the tribal communities are being depleted. This study aims to find the impacts on the livelihood pattern of the Santals due to the depletion of the common pool resources and how they are coping with this situation. This study identifies that pragmatic and comprehensive arrangements for the Santals is necessary so that they can continue living by preserving their ethnicity and cultural diversity.

Keywords: Santals, tribal community, livehood, vulnerability