The Sahariya The Sahariya TribeTribe

A saga of struggle for A saga of struggle for existenceexistence

The Sahariya TribeThe Sahariya Tribe Saharia is a little-known tribe in India. The

Saharias are found mainly in Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri and Guna districts of Madhya Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan. They live in the Khair, Kardhai and Babool forests of the valleys of the Kuno, Parbati, Sindh, and Kali Sindh rivers. Their agricultural income is marginal but they get substantial additional income from working in the forests and collecting minor forest produce such as honey, edible gums, manufacture of kattha, collection of chironji, tapping Salai trees etc. They also find employment in large grass reserves of the Kuno valley. They are good huntsmen.

Name :Saharia Name :Saharia People Name General: People Name General:

Saharia Saharia Alternate People Names:Alternate People Names:

BamrawatBamrawat BanrakhaBanrakha HarautiHarauti SoprahiyaSoprahiya SuraiyaSuraiya

Population in Population in India:623,000India:623,000

Population in all Population in all Countries:627,000 Countries:627,000

Population Break UpPopulation Break Up Madhya Pradesh (454,000)Madhya Pradesh (454,000) Rajasthan (82,000)Rajasthan (82,000) Uttar Pradesh (40,000)Uttar Pradesh (40,000) Bihar (20,000)Bihar (20,000) West Bengal (16,000)West Bengal (16,000) Chhattisgarh (1,600)Chhattisgarh (1,600) Uttaranachal (600)Uttaranachal (600) Jharkhand (500)Jharkhand (500) Andaman and Nicobar Islands (50)Andaman and Nicobar Islands (50) Assam (UnknownAssam (Unknown

Social LifeSocial Life Sahariyas generally reside in separate basti in the village which is Sahariyas generally reside in separate basti in the village which is

called Saharana. called Saharana. The religious practice by these tribals is Hinduism. The religious practice by these tribals is Hinduism. The Sahariyas maintained ecological equilibrium with their The Sahariyas maintained ecological equilibrium with their

environment for ages, despite low level of technology. Mostly they environment for ages, despite low level of technology. Mostly they were engaged as gatherers of minor forest produce and agriculture were engaged as gatherers of minor forest produce and agriculture labourers. labourers.

The main business are gathering & selling of forest wood, Gum, The main business are gathering & selling of forest wood, Gum, Tendu leaf, Honey, fruits and vegetables. Tendu leaf, Honey, fruits and vegetables.

Though Sahariyas, in general are primitive, but all of them are not Though Sahariyas, in general are primitive, but all of them are not so. Some of them are settled cultivators. Others are landless so. Some of them are settled cultivators. Others are landless labourers and forest produce gatherers. labourers and forest produce gatherers.

They live in small families. The elder sons live separately after They live in small families. The elder sons live separately after marriage and younger son bear the responsibilities of the parents marriage and younger son bear the responsibilities of the parents amd unmarried brothers-sisters. Marriages are performed after amd unmarried brothers-sisters. Marriages are performed after attaining the age of 15 years. There are some arranged marriages attaining the age of 15 years. There are some arranged marriages and some in the ceremony in the fairs.and some in the ceremony in the fairs.

The CommunityThe Community One of the scheduled tribe has been named as One of the scheduled tribe has been named as

`Sahariyas’ only because it was totally dependent upon `Sahariyas’ only because it was totally dependent upon forests for its very existence in terms of its society, family, forests for its very existence in terms of its society, family, livelihood and everything else. livelihood and everything else.

The people of `Sahariyas’ tribe never bothered of their The people of `Sahariyas’ tribe never bothered of their future, because they were confident that forests, which future, because they were confident that forests, which they respect and protect, would never leave them hungry. they respect and protect, would never leave them hungry.

However, the other groups of Society have exploited the However, the other groups of Society have exploited the forests to the tilt, for meeting their own self-interests. forests to the tilt, for meeting their own self-interests. Consequently, the very source providing the food security Consequently, the very source providing the food security to the families of `Sahariyas’ tribe has been irretrievably to the families of `Sahariyas’ tribe has been irretrievably damaged. damaged.

Left with no alternative, the people of `Sahariyas’ tribe had Left with no alternative, the people of `Sahariyas’ tribe had to look out for labour work in the local stone mines to earn to look out for labour work in the local stone mines to earn their livelihood. their livelihood.

Slowly and slowly, they were becoming a tool of Slowly and slowly, they were becoming a tool of exploitation in the wider perspective of our social system.exploitation in the wider perspective of our social system.

A bird Eye ViewA bird Eye View Their habitations are located outside the main villages. It is generally a Their habitations are located outside the main villages. It is generally a

cluster of houses. The housing reminds of prehistoric scenes. It is cluster of houses. The housing reminds of prehistoric scenes. It is made of some stone boulders and roofing is also of stone slabs. In made of some stone boulders and roofing is also of stone slabs. In some villages mud structures are also constructed. Brick and concrete some villages mud structures are also constructed. Brick and concrete are very rare. Government has attempted at providing housing to them. are very rare. Government has attempted at providing housing to them. But Sahariya prefers to live these stone huts- locally called as Patore. But Sahariya prefers to live these stone huts- locally called as Patore.

Most of their livelihood resources are in the control of powerful Most of their livelihood resources are in the control of powerful people .e.g. land, water and forest produce. In most cases their land is people .e.g. land, water and forest produce. In most cases their land is bad and that too is usurped by others. High indebtedness, land bad and that too is usurped by others. High indebtedness, land alienation, abysmal literacy level, preponderance of tuberculosis and alienation, abysmal literacy level, preponderance of tuberculosis and malaria, and lack of social security are some facets of their malaria, and lack of social security are some facets of their vulnerability. vulnerability.

Severe malnutrition among the children and starvation deaths has also Severe malnutrition among the children and starvation deaths has also been reported. been reported.

Shy and submissive by nature, they fall easy prey to the manipulation Shy and submissive by nature, they fall easy prey to the manipulation of corrupt people. of corrupt people.

The services like health, education, electricity and nutrition care and The services like health, education, electricity and nutrition care and social security exist mostly in profound sentiments of the policies; most social security exist mostly in profound sentiments of the policies; most Sahariyas have been denied access to them. Sahariyas have been denied access to them.

Bird’s Eye ContinuesBird’s Eye Continues As the forest cover is disappearing, Sahariyas are forced to work as casual As the forest cover is disappearing, Sahariyas are forced to work as casual

labor. labor. Formal administrative system has never been understood by them. Formal administrative system has never been understood by them. Complex procedures of the Government have further scared them away Complex procedures of the Government have further scared them away

from seeking its support. from seeking its support. Government has been pushing scheme after scheme for their development, Government has been pushing scheme after scheme for their development,

little benefit reaches to them. little benefit reaches to them. Middlemen and Government Officials have taken benefit of these programs.Middlemen and Government Officials have taken benefit of these programs. At many places Sahariyas have been tortured to leave their native village by At many places Sahariyas have been tortured to leave their native village by

the mischievous people to take over their land. In such cases they have the mischievous people to take over their land. In such cases they have migrated to other places in search of security. migrated to other places in search of security.

The area is also infamous for dacoits and organized robbers. These groups The area is also infamous for dacoits and organized robbers. These groups move from place to place looking for hideouts from the police. move from place to place looking for hideouts from the police.

Poor Sahariyas are forced to entertain these hooligans with monetary, food, Poor Sahariyas are forced to entertain these hooligans with monetary, food, liquor and women. liquor and women.

Any attempt to refuse brings heavy penalty on them in the form of physical Any attempt to refuse brings heavy penalty on them in the form of physical beating, gang rape and rampage of their villages. beating, gang rape and rampage of their villages.

Police looks at them as informers and tries to use force and threat for Police looks at them as informers and tries to use force and threat for gathering information about the movement of dacoits.gathering information about the movement of dacoits.

Critical ConcernsCritical Concerns Land tenure and related conflicts have become a part of Sahariyas' Land tenure and related conflicts have become a part of Sahariyas'

very existence. They were never known to own land but had a major very existence. They were never known to own land but had a major contribution in converting forestland for agriculture. contribution in converting forestland for agriculture.

It is this land or the ambiguity of their ownership of it, which has It is this land or the ambiguity of their ownership of it, which has been a constant source of conflict with their more powerful been a constant source of conflict with their more powerful neighbors as well as with the Government. neighbors as well as with the Government.

The conflicts range from oppression by the Gurjars and Sardars, The conflicts range from oppression by the Gurjars and Sardars, who are constantly trying to drive the Sahariyas away from the land, who are constantly trying to drive the Sahariyas away from the land, to the local officials who perpetuate amazing forms of mal -to the local officials who perpetuate amazing forms of mal -governance and injustice. governance and injustice.

For instance: (i) Giving pattas without actual possession of land, or vice versa; (ii) For instance: (i) Giving pattas without actual possession of land, or vice versa; (ii) Year after year realizing a fine from encroached forest lands but not maintaining Year after year realizing a fine from encroached forest lands but not maintaining records of the same thus, depriving the Sahariyas of proof of duration of occupancy records of the same thus, depriving the Sahariyas of proof of duration of occupancy (iii) (iii)

There is a constant conflict between the Forest Department and the There is a constant conflict between the Forest Department and the Revenue Department on the issue of the demarcation of land. Revenue Department on the issue of the demarcation of land.

Often it is found that jurisdiction of both the departments overlap Often it is found that jurisdiction of both the departments overlap and the Sahariyas who occupy such areas are caught between the and the Sahariyas who occupy such areas are caught between the two government departments, who never seem to be in a mood to two government departments, who never seem to be in a mood to resolve the issue. resolve the issue.

Critical ConcernsCritical Concerns Exploitation - Khadaans(Stone Quarries), bonded labour, dacoities(robbers) Exploitation - Khadaans(Stone Quarries), bonded labour, dacoities(robbers)

and liquor have become synonymous with the lot of the Sahariyas. and liquor have become synonymous with the lot of the Sahariyas. The mode of abuse is as varied as they are cruel. The mode of abuse is as varied as they are cruel. The Khadaans or the mines are a hotbed of exploitation. The Khadaans or the mines are a hotbed of exploitation. The Sahariyas are encouraged by the mine or land owners to take petty The Sahariyas are encouraged by the mine or land owners to take petty

loans which, more often then not; they are unable to pay. loans which, more often then not; they are unable to pay. Workers are charged for absenteeism and also at times chained up in the Workers are charged for absenteeism and also at times chained up in the

mine premises so that they are unable to run away and instead forced to mine premises so that they are unable to run away and instead forced to work.work.

Dacoities are a common feature in this area and they particularly target the Dacoities are a common feature in this area and they particularly target the Sahariyas. Sahariyas.

The dacoities are more often perpetuated by the landed Gurjars or the mine The dacoities are more often perpetuated by the landed Gurjars or the mine owners themselves or supported by them with the intention of forcing the owners themselves or supported by them with the intention of forcing the Sahariyas to penury as well as terrorizing them to abandon their land and Sahariyas to penury as well as terrorizing them to abandon their land and run away, thus providing the former a chance to snatch away the land. run away, thus providing the former a chance to snatch away the land.

Liquor is another mode of well-planned exploitation. Liquor is often sold by Liquor is another mode of well-planned exploitation. Liquor is often sold by the mine owners at the site of the mines and the payment deducted from the the mine owners at the site of the mines and the payment deducted from the wages of the workers wages of the workers

MigrationMigration After the festival of Holi, the people of Sahariya tribe migrate for After the festival of Holi, the people of Sahariya tribe migrate for

about 75 days between March 15 and June 30. During these 75 about 75 days between March 15 and June 30. During these 75 days neither they get full employment nor they earn sufficient days neither they get full employment nor they earn sufficient enough to meet his livelihood requirement during coming monsoon enough to meet his livelihood requirement during coming monsoon season. season.

Statistics of migration period:Statistics of migration period: Total period of migrationTotal period of migration:: 75 days75 days No.of days preparatory to migration:No.of days preparatory to migration: 5-7 days5-7 days Days spent to secure work:Days spent to secure work: 5-7 days5-7 days Period of unemployment/holidays:Period of unemployment/holidays: 5-7 days5-7 days Sickness or emergent days:Sickness or emergent days: 3-4 days3-4 days Preparing to return back:Preparing to return back: 5-7 days5-7 days Total No. of non-productive days :Total No. of non-productive days : 23-32 days23-32 days

Income During MigrationIncome During Migration During During ChaitChait period, the maximum wages period, the maximum wages

earned by Sahariyas people are for harvesting earned by Sahariyas people are for harvesting the wheat crop. But instead of cash payment, the wheat crop. But instead of cash payment, they receive a part of total crop. they receive a part of total crop.

As per prevailing practice, they receive about As per prevailing practice, they receive about 5% of the total crop as their wages i.e. in return 5% of the total crop as their wages i.e. in return of harvesting one quintal of wheat, they receive of harvesting one quintal of wheat, they receive 5 Kgs. of wheat as their wages. 5 Kgs. of wheat as their wages.

Here also they face exploitation. In return of Here also they face exploitation. In return of harvesting 21 Pooras (local measurement: 1 harvesting 21 Pooras (local measurement: 1 Poora = 2.33 Kgs.), he receives 1 Poora as his Poora = 2.33 Kgs.), he receives 1 Poora as his wages. wages.

Effects of Effects of MigrationMigration

The fact remains that during The fact remains that during migration, the tribal women are migration, the tribal women are exploited to the extreme.exploited to the extreme.

Children had to leave their studies Children had to leave their studies during migration.during migration.

Elders of the family, handicapped Elders of the family, handicapped members and pregnant women had members and pregnant women had to suffer problems beyond words to suffer problems beyond words without any safety arrangements without any safety arrangements for them.for them.

Migration in itself becomes a web Migration in itself becomes a web of indebtedness to moneylenders.of indebtedness to moneylenders.

Many a times they had to sell their Many a times they had to sell their animal husbandry and their animal husbandry and their temporary huts are totally temporary huts are totally destroyed.destroyed.

They are unable to use their They are unable to use their entitlements such as Public entitlements such as Public Distribution System, ICDS and Mid Distribution System, ICDS and Mid Day Meals.Day Meals.

ExploitationExploitation The migrant Sahariyas are generally exploited and are made to work for long The migrant Sahariyas are generally exploited and are made to work for long

hours and paid wages less than the local labourers, even below the prescribed hours and paid wages less than the local labourers, even below the prescribed minimum wages. minimum wages.

Taking advantage of their illiteracy and poverty, middlemen practice exploitative Taking advantage of their illiteracy and poverty, middlemen practice exploitative recruitment practices and retain a major portion of their wages as their own recruitment practices and retain a major portion of their wages as their own commission. commission.

Moreover, wages are adjusted only at the end of the season and workers are Moreover, wages are adjusted only at the end of the season and workers are paid some advances, which are not at all sufficient to meet even their basic paid some advances, which are not at all sufficient to meet even their basic requirements. requirements.

The condition of women labourers are far more vulnerable, who are invariably The condition of women labourers are far more vulnerable, who are invariably paid lesser wages as compared to their male counterparts. paid lesser wages as compared to their male counterparts.

Sexual exploitation of women migrant labourers is a matter of deep concern. Sexual exploitation of women migrant labourers is a matter of deep concern. Most of the migrant workers live in conditions below the minimum accepted Most of the migrant workers live in conditions below the minimum accepted

standards without adequate shelter and toilet facilities. standards without adequate shelter and toilet facilities. In most places, migrants stay in make shift shacks or in the open and have no In most places, migrants stay in make shift shacks or in the open and have no

access to safe drinking water. In the urban areas, shortage of open space and access to safe drinking water. In the urban areas, shortage of open space and harassment by local musclemen add to their miseryharassment by local musclemen add to their misery

The non-inclusion of migrants in the electoral rolls also deprives them of political The non-inclusion of migrants in the electoral rolls also deprives them of political patronage and results in their extreme political marginalization. patronage and results in their extreme political marginalization.

The employers and contractors also adopt exploitative practices against the The employers and contractors also adopt exploitative practices against the migrants and employ various methods to circumvent the provisions of Inter-State migrants and employ various methods to circumvent the provisions of Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act (ISMW) in such a manner to escape from the purview of Migrant Workmen Act (ISMW) in such a manner to escape from the purview of such Act.such Act.

What is neededWhat is needed Administration to be accountable for quality education and health services. Any Administration to be accountable for quality education and health services. Any

negligence should be strictly dealt and concerned persons to be penalized.negligence should be strictly dealt and concerned persons to be penalized.

Social security and legal aid support for each family should be insured.Social security and legal aid support for each family should be insured. A comprehensive development plan to be developed considering specific needs and A comprehensive development plan to be developed considering specific needs and

demands of the Sahariyas.demands of the Sahariyas. Declaring Sahariya Zone with special senior level committee to look into their day to day Declaring Sahariya Zone with special senior level committee to look into their day to day

problems.problems. Present Food distribution system is not adequate to meet their needs. It should be Present Food distribution system is not adequate to meet their needs. It should be

totally overhauled. Mobile shops for grains and cooked food are put in place to ensure totally overhauled. Mobile shops for grains and cooked food are put in place to ensure availability of food to every one.availability of food to every one.

It is taken for granted that all the Sahariyas can pay for medicine, food, electricity and It is taken for granted that all the Sahariyas can pay for medicine, food, electricity and education. The truth is that many do not even eat meals two times a day and go without education. The truth is that many do not even eat meals two times a day and go without food on some days.food on some days.

Children are highly malnourished and suffer from skin and other infections. The ICDS Children are highly malnourished and suffer from skin and other infections. The ICDS program has to be held accountable along with ANM if cases of severe malnutrition are program has to be held accountable along with ANM if cases of severe malnutrition are identified in the village.identified in the village.

NREG program has gone totally in corrupt hands. Soon the Sahariyas would refuse to NREG program has gone totally in corrupt hands. Soon the Sahariyas would refuse to work since the payments are much less than daily wages otherwise available. It is work since the payments are much less than daily wages otherwise available. It is leading to serious restless among the poor. Immediate district level monitoring leading to serious restless among the poor. Immediate district level monitoring committees should be made with representation of credible NGOs and Media committees should be made with representation of credible NGOs and Media Personals.Personals.

Land disputes continue to harass the tribal everywhere. Special courts should be setup Land disputes continue to harass the tribal everywhere. Special courts should be setup to hear these cases. Disputes between Forest and Revenue departments over land to hear these cases. Disputes between Forest and Revenue departments over land maps and ownership has caused insurmountable suffering to Sahariyas.maps and ownership has caused insurmountable suffering to Sahariyas.