Dongaria Kandha Adaptation to Market Opportunities: Railway as an Engine of Change

Dongaria Kandha is an Indian tribe residing in the lap of remote and forested area of Niyamgiri hills of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha. The tribe has been categorized as particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG). As the modernization is reaching every bit and corner of the world, Dongaria villages are no exception; they too have been exposed to outer world through rail, road and information technology. In Bissumkatak block ofRayagada district, Dongaria Kandha villages are situated near (10km away) Bissumkatak railway station and Chatikana weekly market. This geographical proximity with railway station and market has provided the villagers direct access to market for trading their horticulture products. They are also engaged in trade with the Dombo (Scheduled Caste) and other business communities of Chatikana and Rayagada. While these changes have resulted in an increased income, at the same time there has been an increase in their expenditure as well, incurred due to introduction of new varieties of goods ranging from foodstuffs to modern gadgets, housing, education, medicines and fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs). This paper discusses the market oriented activities provided by railways to the Dongariya tribe. Therefore, the primary objective of this paper is to explore and explain the strain between established horticultural livelihood and modern development initiatives among Dongaria Kandha in Khambesi village of Rayagada district. Data based on structured schedule have been collected from every Dongaria households in Khambesi village. Qualitative information was obtained from semi-structured face-toface interviews and observations in Khambesi village, Bissuirikatak Railway station and Chatikana weekly market.