Context:
Jharkhand’s Pahariya tribe aims to achieve seed independence by depositing native varieties in community-led banks.
Pahariyas:
- Original inhabitants of – Rajmahal Hills, now known as Santal Parganas
- Habitat – Jharkhand and West Bengal.
- Also reside in certain parts of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha.
- Cultivation – Practise Jhumming or Shifting cultivation.
- Language – Malto language, Dravidian language.
- Religious Practices –
- Worship deities specific to their households, clans, and villages
- Believe in naturalism and worship natural objects like sun, river, mountain, tree etc.
- Pahariyas are divided into 2 groups –
- Mal Pahariya – Inhabit the southern hills of Damin-i-koh
- Shauria Pahariya – Predominantly found in the Santhal Parganas.
- Status –
- Listed as a Scheduled Tribe by the governments of West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand.
- Listed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups(PVTG) in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Source: Down To Earth
Previous Year Question
After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?
1. The territories called ‘Santhal Parganas’ were created.
2. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
