Page 26 - Pelc, Stanko, ed., 2015. Spatial, social and economic factors of marginalization in the changing global context. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
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tial, social, and economic factors of marginalization in the changing global context 24 Occupational Diversification and Changing Marginality
conditions of Brokpas of Bhutan in Twenty First Century
Prof. Dr. Raghubir Chand
Kumaun University Nainital, India
E-6, Stoneleigh Compound, Tallital
raghubir.seri@gmail.com
Marginality conditions, Occupational diversification, Brokpa yak
herders of Bhutan, transhumance, pasture economy, development
philosophy in marginal areas,
In the 21st century, though strategies of human survival and ad-
aptation in marginal regions are changing, marginality is likely to
be perpetuated, albeit with changes in its nature and spatial ef-
fects. Changing policy structure and development philosophy in
marginal areas is also shifting the nature of dependency in such
areas. Current globalization processes have a key role to play in
terms of either exacerbating or addressing marginalization. Dur-
ing the twentieth century the pattern and impact of development
was different in Bhutan as its approach to development and pol-
icy of interaction to outside world was markedly different than
other states in the Himalaya. Bhutan in fact followed the policy
of self-imposed isolation and thus remained cut-off from rest of
the world in terms of foreign direct investment and market links.
There is therefore a need to have a proper understanding of these
processes to relate them with the process of transformation tak-
ing place in Bhutan especially in the context of tribal mode of liv-
ing. The Brokpa economy and the pastoralist way of life in Bhutan
is at the cross road of change though not completely out of its tra-
ditional hold. The present paper is thus based on a brief overview
of demographic characteristics, work force participation, educa-
tional Attainment, pasture economy and associated occupational
change and occupational diversification taking place in the Brokpa
society in Bhutan.
This study is based on the primary information collected first in
1999 and compared with the field work carried in 2010 at household
level of Brokpa yak herders. The sample size of 104 households tak-
en in 1999 is compared with 126 households in 2010. The focus is on
the new generation Brokpas how they can adapt their livelihood
conditions of Brokpas of Bhutan in Twenty First Century
Prof. Dr. Raghubir Chand
Kumaun University Nainital, India
E-6, Stoneleigh Compound, Tallital
raghubir.seri@gmail.com
Marginality conditions, Occupational diversification, Brokpa yak
herders of Bhutan, transhumance, pasture economy, development
philosophy in marginal areas,
In the 21st century, though strategies of human survival and ad-
aptation in marginal regions are changing, marginality is likely to
be perpetuated, albeit with changes in its nature and spatial ef-
fects. Changing policy structure and development philosophy in
marginal areas is also shifting the nature of dependency in such
areas. Current globalization processes have a key role to play in
terms of either exacerbating or addressing marginalization. Dur-
ing the twentieth century the pattern and impact of development
was different in Bhutan as its approach to development and pol-
icy of interaction to outside world was markedly different than
other states in the Himalaya. Bhutan in fact followed the policy
of self-imposed isolation and thus remained cut-off from rest of
the world in terms of foreign direct investment and market links.
There is therefore a need to have a proper understanding of these
processes to relate them with the process of transformation tak-
ing place in Bhutan especially in the context of tribal mode of liv-
ing. The Brokpa economy and the pastoralist way of life in Bhutan
is at the cross road of change though not completely out of its tra-
ditional hold. The present paper is thus based on a brief overview
of demographic characteristics, work force participation, educa-
tional Attainment, pasture economy and associated occupational
change and occupational diversification taking place in the Brokpa
society in Bhutan.
This study is based on the primary information collected first in
1999 and compared with the field work carried in 2010 at household
level of Brokpa yak herders. The sample size of 104 households tak-
en in 1999 is compared with 126 households in 2010. The focus is on
the new generation Brokpas how they can adapt their livelihood
