Tribal population of Jammu & Kashmir is among the nascent Tribal Groups joining the main stream of planned development, to which they have brought a distinct and colourful cultural variety. Their economy is closely linked with the forests and they are living a substandard life because of their primitive mode of livelihood.
Majority of them are placed below the poverty line, possessing meagre assets and are exclusively dependent on wages, forest produce and farming, that too in a traditional way which leads to non remunerative returns. The peculiar aspect of tribals of our state is their scattered population who inhabit the difficult and remote geographic terrains which poses a severe threat to their speedy development.
Tribal Research Institute has been set up by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India with the need for continued research on cultural, anthropological, socio economic and related issues concerning the tribals. While such researches are currently undertaken by many organizations, such as the Anthropological Survey of India, Universities and other specialized institutions, it is important on the part of Tribal Research Institute to undertake research studies in terms of knowledge advocacy.
Tribal Research Institute J&K is engaged in the work of providing planning inputs to the Government, conducting research and evaluation studies, collection of data, identifying challenges in the field of socio-economic development of tribals and understanding promoting and preserving their culture. Training and capacity building of stakeholders, and knowledge advocacy that would help formulate evidence based policy and planning are also the thrust area of the TRI. As part of the research activities the TRI J&K is also taking concrete steps for establishment of Tribal museum to preserve the tribal art, craft and culture.
