Tribal Development Scenario in West Bengal A Study of Jamalpur Block of Burdwan District

Tribal development in West Bengal is directed towards ensuring an immediate boost to agricultural production in tribal areas, improve economic conditions of the landless among the tribals, recognise the co-operative and marketing structures, and to provide employment and increased income to the tribals. Family-based economic programmes include land reclamation, land development, supply of agricultural inputs and the like. The area-based economic programmes include construction of roads, execution of minor irrigation and lift irrigation schemes and so on. Although, the tribals are in the process of transition from a traditional society to a modern society, they are going through the process of institutionalised exploitation and socio-political marginalisation. They are not health conscious and yet practice traditional methods of medicine.