How do many tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh make their living?

Many tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh rely on a rural, subsistence-based lifestyle to make their living. Agriculture is the primary occupation for more than half of the population, with many hill peoples practicing shifting agriculture—locally known as jhum—whereby land is cleared by burning vegetation for cultivation before moving to a new site. While settled, wet-rice farming has expanded, these communities also grow crops such as corn, millet, buckwheat, oilseeds, potatoes, ginger, and sugarcane.1

Beyond farming, tribal livelihoods are heavily supplemented by hunting, fishing, and gathering forest products. Forests are vital to these communities, providing bamboo for construction, traditional medicines, and various other resources held in common. Animal husbandry is also significant; many groups keep mithuns, while others raise yaks in higher elevations, sheep, or fish through aquaculture. Additionally, many tribes engage in handicraft production, including weaving, basketry, and carpet making, as well as sericulture (raw silk production).2314