SOCIO-CULTURAL, FISHERIES, VETERINARY AND AGRICULTURE PRACTICES OF NICOBARI TRIBES OF CAR NICOBAR ISLAND

Abstract

Nicobarese are mongoloid tribe with yellowish brown, straight hair with medium height who is one of the inhabitants of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from time immemorial. Their major chunk resides in Nicobar group of Islands particularly in Car Nicobar which is capital for Nicobar district. A study was conducted from April, 2013 to September, 2013 at 5 villages of Car Nicobar Island to understand and document their socio-cultural, fisheries, veterinary and agricultural farming practices. Car Nicobarese were found to give more importance to their own culture values, traditional practices in growing and harvesting of agricultural commoditiesviz. agriculture, fisheries and livestock. Presently, they are not involved in agricultural activities on commercial basis, but they are fulfilling their own needs partially or fully by utilizing their resources available next to them. The present study recommends that the Nicobarese in this Island may be encouraged with incentives from the local line department to involve in farming and allied activities with their traditional culture and life.