Impact of Climate Change on the Customary Life of the Brokpa Community of Arunachal Pradesh; Northeastern Himalayan Region
摘要
Climate change has been a persistent worldwide phenomenon throughout recorded history, but the rate of change has accelerated in the last few years. Since temperatures have been rising recently, most land areas have experienced an increase in hot days and seasonal variations, including heat waves. According to NOAA scientists (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) 2020 ranked as the second hottest year on record for the planet effectively tying with 2016 that has been recorded as the one of the warmest years ever. The land and ocean surface temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere were 2.30 °F (1.28 °C) above average, the highest in 141 years. Massive wildfires and increased heat-related disease spread are therefore becoming signs of an increasingly worrying scenario that portends a difficult present and a dismal future. These extreme heat waves creating consequential water scarcity are initiating. Global conditions leading to predicted outcomes such as extreme and frequent storms, flooding, and droughts posing immense threat to the existence of humanity in general and indigenous groups’ in particular by endangering their survival through diminishing the natural habitats that serve as their primary means of subsistence. One such notable example are the Northeastern states of India, whose inhabitants uniquely reflect the wide amalgamation of physical and cultural diversity truly showcasing India’s physical and cultural multiracial nature. Among these states, Arunachal Pradesh stands out as occupying the largest geographical area and being bestowed with picturesque physical diverseness and divine serenity with rare flora and fauna forming an ecological hotspot. The state is predominantly inhabited by Scheduled Tribes having 26 major and 106 minor tribes. Among these tribes, the Brokpas who are also referred as highlanders are the only pastoral nomadic tribe found in Northeastern India and through their livelihood and lifestyle depict the intricate man-nature interaction and adaptation in most natural form. The Brokpas draw their origin as a subgroup of the Monpas who are located in the Tawang and West Kameng districts forming the western most part of the state. Being confined to the higher altitudes, and given their tradition of herding of yaks the local animal found in these high altitude as a profession for livelihood, the Brokpas are dependent upon climate as a crucial factor in the traditional way of life of herding. As nomads the Brokpas migrate seasonally to find suitable grazing land for their livestock a tradition being followed for generations. However, recent significant changes in the climate in this region of the Himalayas have begun to directly affect the Brokpas by means of disappearing pastures and shortening of cold periods as well as the rising temperature in this high altitude areas. This has started affecting the economic and socio-cultural practices, as well as the generation old livelihood pattern and the associated lifestyle of this nomadic tribe. This Present chapter attempts to understand and explain these shifting aspects of the Brokpas’ way of life in the Himalayan region of Arunachal Pradesh.