Introduction
Our country has diverse geo-physical and multi ethnic structure of variation to maintain unity. Everywhere, ecological factor relates to governed socio-cultural value, economic occupancies, religious beliefs and practices etc. and plays subsistence rhythm of lifeline. To maintain the survival strategy, the people relate to or engage themselves in different occupations for the assistance of survival strategy. In such survival sequence, it has been observed that, throughout the globe, some communities forage ecological resources, some transform shifting cultivation to settled agriculture business and daily wage labour etc. Besides, a huge number of people relate to service as per their educational qualifications and skills. It has also been observed that, some people are related to religious profession Le. priesthood and other related work and perform their activities accordingly. Due to educational transformation and technological development a huge number of people put their own intellectual property, and obtain jobs for maintaining subsistence. In case of delta biosphere scenario, it was depicted that an enormous ecologically poor people depend on Sundarban delta's terrestrial and aquatic resources as secondary sources of subsistence for their livelihood. Mainly those who came from different parts of the country migrated and rehabilitated in the area and finally settled there. On the other hand, the area is frequently affected by cyclone, flood and other disasters etc. Thus, the effected people face problems which keep them economically backward and they find it difficult to maintain their socio-economic lifestyle. Hence, the economically poor people depend more on biosphere reserve for an alternative economic support. Subsequently the people contact and conflict in the Sundarban delta region. The life of economic variable sustainable communities is entered in their survival strategy which goes on changing as per the prevailing condition. Thus the word sustainability is an ambiguous concept, with different meanings and dynamic situations, the situation changes due to other factors such as population growth, exploitation and condition of renewable and non-renewable resources, development of technology, socio-cultural changes and according to the changes of human needs. The concept sustainability alerts human beings to make a balance between natural resources and population and to manage the resources towards the betterment of environment, health, economic growth and equity, in which situation, maximum population can manage good quality of life (Wikan 1995). This concept became famous in the public discourse after the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development of the United Nations. It was known as Brundtland commission (1987). It stated that "sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their needs" (cf. Sach 1997). The definition gives the meaning that sustainability in the situation where human needs are fulfilled without disturbing the future. In delta situation, the people cope up with and adopt themselves with the new situation for subsistence accordingly developed tools and techniques and a series of belief systems for benefit of their own. These norms and issues not only reflect the tribal people but also reflect the so called "civilised" societies. In the crisis threat, the oral tradition, myths, legends and trust develop a physiological maturity in minds of the people. The knowledge and belief systems are interlinked with survival strategy, which is expressed in their sustenance activities. The new adopted myths deal with gods and goddesses, rituals and supernatural power to save livelihood. Myth is unique to a culture, particularly to its beliefs, values and knowledge systems. The present study tries to explain the theme of "Contact and Conflict a contextual survival strategy of Sundarbans delta. The term "Contact and conflict can be used in different field for a contextual survival strategy of the migrant people. It has been observed that "Contact and conflict is reflected in various fields in our society like ethnic, political, religious, caste conflict, etc. But here, the contact and conflict stands between animal vs. man and man vs. authority. In the context of Sunderban delta, a world heritage bio-sphere reserve, its inhabitants came in contact with each other in different times on account of various reasons and produced a diverse ethnic hinterland. Naturally, a question comes in mind how all those who came from different economic backgrounds coped up with such a new ecological situation". The present locality is full of dense forest, river, creek, sea and natural disaster zone in relation to the region which are also frequently damaged due to socio-economy disorder ie. agricultural life of the people. Thus, on the basis of ecological potentiality the people explored and adapted new source of economic strategy.
About the Book
This Book is reflecting a hazardous Bio-sphere Delta heritage scenario. The focus of the study is to understand the present situation of the Indian side of Sundarban forest region. Over a period of time, a huge number of ethnic groups from different socio-economic backgrounds migrated here and inhabited in the delta region for their livelihood. Thus, the Delta lost her carrying capacity i.e. an inequality in the land-men-ratio took place. The word "Contact and Conflict" defined the survival strategy of the Delta population. To meet the subsistence needs, the people got dependent on both terrestrial and aquatic natural resources. This research work tries to find out the background of carrying capacity, causes and causality. The volume provides the inside overall view of the Sundarbans Delta. For the researchers, students and administrators, this study would provide a clear view of the region and this book would hold immense value to the anthropologists and future developers. The preservation and conservation of the delta heritage for the future generation is our moral duty.
About The Author
Krishna Basu (b. 1962), obtained her Master's degree in Anthropology with specialization in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University of Calcutta. At present she is working in the Anthropological Survey of India. She has done empirical field survey among the tribals and non-tribals of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Orissa, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. She has published different research papers in the edited books and scientific journals. She has completed her Ph.D on Lachenpa community of Lachen valley at North Sikkim.
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