INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025
Occupations and Tribal Livelihood:ACase Study of Trans Himalayan
Region of Ladakh, India
Dr Tsering Yangzom
Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Jammu
Received: 10 November 2025; Accepted: 20 November 2025; Published: 03 December 2025
ABSTRACT
Traditionally, agriculture and animal husbandry have been the primary sources of livelihood for tribal
communities, particularly in rural and remote regions. However, over the years, there has been a noticeable
shift in the occupational structure of tribal households. The study aims to examine the patterns of occupations
among tribal households of present Ladakh. The study was part of the research project funded by University of
Jammu under the Seed and Research grant. The sample size of the study is 500 scheduled tribe household
heads, that is 414 from rural areas and 86 from urban areas of Ladakh. The study reveals that 88.4 percent of
the sampled households obtained livelihood from non-traditional based economic activities and it further
reveals that most of the heads are self-employed, primarily as own-account workers. A sector-wise analysis
indicates that rural tribal heads predominantly rely their livelihood from rent, pensions, or remittances, while
those in urban areas are mainly engaged in regular salaried employment. At the same time, a huge chunk of
heads is into casual labour work as well. Thus, the policy suggestion is, introduce targeted employment
guarantee schemes and rural infrastructure projects to provide stable and year-round work opportunities for
casual labourers for remote areas like Durbuk and Nyoma.
Keywords: Livelihood, Tribal, Household, Main Occupation, Trans Himalaya
INTRODUCTION
Occupational status serves as a key indicator of the socio-economic standing and developmental trajectory of
any community. For tribal populations, it reflects a complex interplay of tradition, environment, access to
resources, and exposure to mainstream economic systems. The occupational choices of household heads, who
often act as primary earners and decision-makers, directly impact household income, social mobility, and
intergenerational opportunities. Historically, tribal communities have been primarily engaged in traditional
occupations such as agriculture, animal husbandry, forest-based activities, and artisanal crafts. These
livelihoods were closely linked to their ecological surroundings and cultural practices. However, over the past
few decades, there has been a marked transition from these traditional forms of employment toward more
modern and diversified occupations. This shift has been driven by factors such as urbanization, educational
advancement, state-led development programs, and integration with broader markets.
The present paper investigates primarily the descriptive aspects of the occupational status of tribal household
heads, focusing on both the current distribution of employment types and the ongoing transition from
traditional to modern livelihoods. It analyses sector-wise participation, differences across rural and urban
settings, and the role of policy interventions in facilitating or hindering occupational mobility. By examining
this transition, the study aims to shed light on how tribal communities are adapting to changing economic
landscapes and what challenges and opportunities this transformation presents.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Tribal communities represent significant part of a society and a majority of these people reside in rural regions
with primitive pattern of livelihood. Tribals are marginalised class (Roy, 1989) and relatively deprived
compared with non-tribal people in many aspects (Srivastava, 200%), The livelihoods of indigenous
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