A Study of Present Status of Women and their Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Chakrata District, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Abstract

The present study outlines the data which interprets the socio-economic study of status and economic condition of women in Chakrata District of Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand State. The article discusses the gap in documentation and understanding of women roles in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry and discusses about their traditional ecological knowledge. The study area is well-known for its traditional ecological knowledge which is being used by the women in daily lives, but this traditional ecological knowledge lacks a comprehensive study and proper documentation. In Chakrata district, apart from the daily routine of household work, women have an active participation on the agricultural fields. Under the present study 6 villages have been taken namely, Buraswa, Bangoti, Patti, Rawana, Mehrawna, and Shirba. The livelihood of women in these areas is based on their income mainly coming from agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry. The present research article is based on the questionnaire focusing on women’s socioeconomic status and traditional ecological knowledge. The article provides the comprehensive analysis of the Government has enacted series of policies consisting special privileges for the people residing in this area. The result shows that women related to upper caste are in better condition than the women belonging to schedule caste community. The governmental policies and facilities are enjoyed more by the women belonging to upper caste due to their awareness when compared to the schedule caste women.