ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the changing livelihood system of Scheduled Tribes (STs) of the North Eastern region of India. Land is an important resource for their livelihood, which is collectively owned and governed by the community at large. The majority of STs depends on agriculture, especially shifting cultivation, for their livelihood. Agricultural households continue to be more in rural areas; however, non-agricultural households are also growing in number. There is a burgeoning growth in the non-agricultural households in urban areas. With regard to employment, agricultural employment has declined largely due to the significant decline of cultivators. Employment in the non-agricultural sector has improved – mostly driven by education. The paper notes that the decline in agriculture employment and income along with the increase in non-agriculture employment and income evidence the convergence of the livelihood system from agriculture to non-agriculture for STs in the region.
