CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the practical file has been submitted by Namrata Kumari, a student of the
B.A (Hons) Geography course.The project presented in an original work conducted under the
supervision and guidance of Ms Ekta Raman. I hereby affirm that this field report on Kullu
Valley adheres to the expectations and complies with the guidelines established by the
University of Delhi.

Date : Teacher:

Signature:

1
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to formally express my sincere gratitude to Mrs Anuradha Shankar, the teacher in
charge of the Geography Department and Sadhna Sharma , the Principal of Shyama Prasad
Mukherjee College , for their invaluable contribution to the completion of my project .I extend
my special thanks to our mentor Ms Ekta Raman for the guidance and efforts she provided
throughout the semester. Her insightful advice and suggestions were instrumental for the
successful completion of the project. Additionally I would like to acknowledge the assistance of
our lab assistant, Mr Amit , for his support. I affirm that this project was completed solely by me

2
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Socio economic status is the most important issue in developing countries. Socio-economic study
is an important part of the development of the people of the various societies. The sole aim is the
status of the transform the socio-economic condition of the people living in the rural areas. Since
independence of country, more than 75 percent of population is living in rural areas, where the
problem of poverty, unemployment and improper living condition prevail “while have persisted
for long”. For economic development, the transformation of socio-economic conditions is
necessary. Hence, it is the need of the hour to analyze the socio-economic condition of the rural
areas and to put forward the suggestions to solve the problems prevailing in the rural areas.
Socioeconomic status is very important to measure the human development which measures an
individual’s or family’s or group of peoples economic and social position based on occupation,
education, health and income. Socio-economic statuses are an economic and sociological
combined total measure of a person’s or family’s economic and social position . Dutton and
Levine (1989) describe socioeconomic status is “composite measure that typically incorporates
economic status, measured by income: social status, measured by education: and work status,
measured by occupation”. According to Krieger et al. (1997)-Socioeconomic status as “an
aggregate concept that includes both resource-based and prestigebased measures, as linked to
both childhood and adult social class position

STUDY AREA

Himachal Pradesh is a Indian state lying in the Indian Himalayas. Uttranchal on the south west ,
China on the east, Haryana on the southwest, and Jammu and Kashmir on North. It stretches
from 30022”40’ 33012’40” North and longitudes 750 45’55” East to 790 04’20” East. The
entire region is hilly with altitude ranging between 350 meters to 7000 meters above sea level.
The region can be divided into three distinct regions, the shivaliks, middle Himalayas, and the
alpine zone.

3
Himachal Pradesh was also called “Deva Bhoomi”. It was earlier inhabitat by tribes like Koilis,
Dagis, Dhaugris, Dasa, Khasas, Kinnars and Kirats. The state has 12 districts: Bilaspur, Chamba,
Solan, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla,Dharamshala, Sirmaur and Una.

Kullu lies in the eastern part of central Hiamchal Pradesh. The latitudinal extends of the district
ranges from 31020’25” to 32025’0 and 76056’30” to 77052’20’ east is the longitudinal extent. It
is bounded on the north and east by Lahual & spiti district and on the southeast by Kinnaur
district, Shimla on the south and Mandi on the northwest, and by Kangra in west. The total area
cover of Kullu district is 5,503 Sq kms. Kullu ranks 5th in order of area and 9th in order of
population among the districts of state. The altitude of the district ranges between 1,089 meters
to over 6,632 meters from the mean sea level.

The study area of research is some villages of kullu district namely Bandrol, Seobagh, Gojra,
Bhirindi .The main concern of research is the socio-eco conditions of people residing in these
villages. Since, the socio-economic is a major concern with the developing nations. This research
will be helpful for better understanding of the social and economic conditions of Indian rural
areas.

LITERATURE REVIEW

GUPTA.J (2015) talks about the rapidly growing tourism in the state and its impact. Tourism has
played a vital role in providing employment and has benefitted overall economy. Kullu Mnali is
one of the famous tourist attraction with all the basic amenities. Although heavy traffic has been
observed as a major concern in the region and in addition high cost, lack of branded products is
another major problem.

Dr Kumar.S (2022) examined that himachal Pradesh has seen a significant population growth
over the years, reaching 4.24 million in 1981. Various factors like early marriage, less use of
contraceptives. Low literacy rates and poor living conditions. A total of 100 households were
examined and their land holdings size was analyzed. It was observed that %age of dependent
population were more and land holding size were less.

Singh Prakriti (2015) investigated the impact of land use changes on ecosystem services in
kullu, Himachal Pradesh in the year 2014-15. The dominated land use pattern in the region were

4
forest, traditional agriculture and their impact aws studies. Over the span of 30 years the
availability of quality water has deceased which can be associated with orchard farming. It has
also been observed that number of natural water springs and streams has been decreased which is
being replaced by construction of tube wells.

James S Gardner(2010) talks about natural hazard like flood, debris flows etc in the himalayan
region. The main or major reason behind such occurrence of rapid natural disaster is considered
deforestation. It has been observed that forest cover has altered with over 150 years. Another
reason behind increasing disaster is increasing population..

Praveen Kr Sharma; N S Chuahan; et.al((2004), studied plantation of indigenous crops in the

villages of kullu specifically in republic of malana. The area is inhabitate by gujjars, gadddis and
other rural communities. A total of 35 plant species were recorded. It was observed that the
dwellers were cautengnous of knowledge. Many species were being used as home remedies,
some species were being used for bone dislocation and 5 species are being used for
miscellaneous uses such as malana creame.

Pethe & Shinde, (2018) say that the study was conducted to know the cultural landscape of kullu
valley that how god was associated with the religious activities and how it influenced the cultural
landscape of the area. He founded that they strongly believed in debtas these debtas were
associated with nature and that is how nature and culture are interlinked. his first objective was
to know all the sacred places in kullu , second objective was to understand how these debtas and
nature influences the cultural landscape of kullu valley and third objective was to understand the
development in cultural landscape this is what the study is all about

Veer & Kumar, (2018) talks about the socio economic status of some villages of kullu valley
where he states that the condition of both the villages is very poor. People are not satisfied with
their livelihood .It is way far from satisfactory. In both the villages the villagers are very poor,
even the basic education is not provided further he states that the villages are in urgent need of
educational programmes the government should launch some income generation mediums to
improve the socio economic condition of the villages

Alam, (2019) examines that the study was basically conducted to understand the sustainable
approaches that can be adopted for city development she states that kullu valley is one of the

5
most urbanised area in the upper Beas region which caters almost population of 7 lakh people
This study was done to analyse the land use land cover pattern of kullu valley.

Manda, Vaidya., et al, (2022) states that the study was carried out in kullu to analyse the socio-
economic and cost return structure of farmers. they analysed the cost and returns structure of
vegetables like tomatoes , cauliflower and peas in two vegetable dominated blocks that is kullu
and nagger the study made them understand that to promote this it is important to demarcate the
niche areas for the off season vegetable cultivation , as vegetables grown in these areas enjoy
high prices advantages due to its off season nature they have also talked about the solution to this
problem that is educating the farmers about technological advancements for efficient use of
labour this will help in reducing the production cost this would be more beneficial for the
farmers

Sahani, (2019) has examined the positive and negative impacts of tourism on kullu as a region
.Tourism is one f the important component in the growing economy of kullu it is one of the
reason in development of the region .The growth of tourism has lead in growing economy, living
standard but has also impacted the environment and the landscape in a worse manner

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

More than 50% of Indian population still resides in rural areas. There are 648,548 villages in
India (Indian Express). The improvent of the social & economic conditions of villages is our
main concern. With more then 50% population engaged in agricultural sector and still villages
are deprived of developmental programmes which is a must for the overall growth of the
country, Hence, this study was conducted to identify the problem and look for the solutions &
suggestions.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The main aim and objectives for the study is as follows:-

a) To study the social composition of the study area

b) To understand the source of livelihood
c) To understand people’s perception on government.

6
DATA SOURCE AND METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It was selected as the study area
because of the easy accessibility of transportation and communication networks. A total of 9
villages namely Banogi, Bashing, Bastori,Dughilug, Manjhat, Kothi sari, Jindour and Nalha wer
selected.The study is based mainly on primary source of data which was collected by surveying
the study area anf questionnaires. The survey was conducted between 15th- to 19th October 2024.
A household survey was done through questionarie . The collcected data is mainly focused on
social structure, government policies, infrastructural facilities, demography, source of livelihood.
The collected data was then analysed to produce the outcome.

Relevance of Study

The purpose of the socioeconomic research of Kullu is to comprehend the current state of rural
arrears, conduct an effect assessment, and bring about socioeconomic developments, typically in
the form of advancements in indicators like GDP, life expectancy, literacy, and job levels. By
using data from disciplines like history, physiography, its administration, climate, sociology, etc.,
we have conducted this study to investigate how social factors affect economic activity in
society. We will next utilize this data to investigate how it affects other economic activities.
Chapterization
Understanding the idea of social economics is the main goal of the first chapter, which also
examines the connection between the local economy and social behavior.It provides us with a
joke regarding the socioeconomic circumstances in India's rural districts. It also talks about the
study's goals and field of investigation.The second chapter provides a general overview of the
study area's geography, history, physiography, and population. .The social composition of the
study area—that is, the precise material organization of workers into class society through the
social connections of consumption and reproduction—is the first goal of this research, and it is
examined in the third chapter. The people's source of livelihood is discussed in the fourth
chapter, meaning that their way of life depends on the type of economic activity they engage
in.The fifth chapter looks at how the public views governance, which essentially explains the
government's efforts in that field, if they are advantageous to the populace, and how they have
improved their standard of living.

7
REFERENCES

1. Singh(2015) “Impact of land use changes on ecosystem services in kullu district of himachal
pradesh”, college of forestary.
2. Gupta(2015)”Tourism in Himachal Pradesh”, Himachal Pradesh University , Manali, pg 181-191.
3. Kumar(2022) “Socio-Economic characteristics of the Economy of Himachal Pradesh”, Govt
Degree College, Banjar, Issn No- 2320-5237, volume 09, issue 01.
4. Gardner(2010)”Natural Hazzards Risk in the Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh”, University of
Manitoba, Winnipeg, pg 282-306
5. Sharma, chauhan and Lal (2004)”Studies on Plant Associated indegenious Knowledge among
Malanis of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh”, Department of Agroforestary and Environment ,
pg 403-408
6. Pethe, A., &Shinde, K. (2018) Making of Cultural Landscape of The Kullu Valley .,Faculty of
Architecture :CEPT UNIVERSITY , Pg. 261-262
7. Veer ,V., & Kumar, S.(2018) Assessment of Socio- Economic Status of Pasha and Barod
villages of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh ; Journal of Geography Environment and Earth
Science International. 16 pg. ; 1 8
8. Alam ,T.(2019) A Sustainable Approach to City Development: A Case of Kullu Valley
,Himachal Pradesh, India ., pg. 1-3
9. Manda, I., Vaidya, Kumar, M.V., Sharma, N .(2022) Evolution of Socio –Economic Status and
Cost Return Structure of Major vegetable Crops in Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh (Indian).
Plant Science Today (2023 (10) 2) pg144-151
10. Sahani, N. (2019). The Impact of Tourism in Kullu District , Himachal Pradesh ,India: A
Qualitative Assessment . Online International Interdisciplinary Journal,ISSN 2249-9598,
Volume-09 ;69-72

8
 CHAPTER-2
Study Area

Snuggled amidst the forbidding mountain ranges of the Himalayas lies the charming valley
of Kullu, spread along the banks of the Beas River. Often known as the ‘Valley of the Gods’ due
to the myth surrounding it as being the abode of the Gods, Kullu is known for its beautiful
landscapes comprising of the towering Himalayan peaks and the lush green mountain forests.

The Kullu Valley, along with its neighboring district, Manali is one of the most sought after and
most visited hill stations in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Renowned for its fresh and
natural beauty, Kullu attracts tourists from all across the world and is also famous for its tourist
attractions which include a number of ancient forts, religious sites, wildlife sanctuaries, and
dams.

The Kullu Valley was founded in the first century of the Christian era by a native of Tripura, a
person called Behangamani Pal. It has also been mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures, such
as the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Vishnu Puranas and other Sanskrit texts, whereby it is
known as Kulanthpitha, that literally means ‘The ending point of the Habitable World’. The
Chinese pilgrim monk, Hiuen Tsiang (AD 629-645) named it as Kiu-lu.

Administrative setup

The administrative headquarters of the Kullu district lies at kullu. The Kullu district has the
following administrative divisions:

 Sub divisions in Kullu: Kullu, Manjar, Manali, Anni and Nirmand

 Constituencies : Kullu, Banjar, Manali and Anni
 Development Blocks: Kullu, Naggar, Banjar, Anni, Nirmand and Bhuntar
 Tehsils in Kullu: Kullu, Banjar, Manali, Anni, Nirmand, Bhuntar(Kullu) and Sainj(Banjar)
 Sub-Tehsils in Kullu: Jari(Kullu) and Nithar(Nirmand)
 Panchayat Samities: Kullu, Naggar, Banjar, Anni & Nirmand

9
 Gram Panchayats: 70 in Kullu tehsil, 40 in Naggar tehsil, 36 in Banjar tehsil, 32 in Anni
tehsil, 26 in Nirmand tehsil.
 Zila Parishad: 1 (Kullu)
 Nagar Parishad: 2 (Kullu and Manali)
 Nagar Panchayats: 2 (Bhuntar and Banjar)

10
 Fig:2.1

Physiography Of Kullu

Kullu town has an average elevation of 1,278 m (4,193 ft). It lies on the bankof beas river. A major
tributary, Sarvari, (derived from "Shiv-Baardi") leads to the less explored and steeper Lug-valley on the
west. On the east of Kullu lies a broad mountainous ridge having the village-templesof bijli mahadev,
Anant Nag and Peej. 70% of the land area in Kullu is covered with fresh vegetation. The southern parts of
Kullu have a profusion of Shisham, sal, pine and broad shiny leaved trees. There is another range of oaks,
blue pines and fir trees in Kullu. If you hike up to the mountains you will find sturdy mountain trees with
firm tangled roots. These are alders and birches.

Demography
Table:2.1

ITEM UNIT REFERENCE YEAR 2011

Total area Sq km 547.71

Population Number(s) 437,903

Male Number(s) 225,452

Female Number(s) 212,415

Area Sq km 5503

Population Density Sq km 80

Sex ratio Per 1000 male 942

Literacy %age 70.46

Male literacy %age 77.42

Female literacy %age 62.66

Scheduled tribes %age 3.84

11
 Scheduled caste %age 28.01

Source: hpkullu.nic.in/demography

As per the Census India 2011, Kullu district has 94807 households, population of 437903 of which
225452 are males and 212451 are females. The population of children between age 0-6 is 50431 which is
11.52% of total population .The sex-ratio of Kullu district is around 942 compared to 972 which is
average of Himachal Pradesh state. The literacy rate of Kullu district is 70.26% out of which 77.42%
males are literate and 62.66% females are literate. The total area of Kullu is 5503 sq.km with population
density of 80 per sq.km. Out of total population, 90.55% of population lives in Urban area and 9.45%
lives in Rural area. There are 28.01% Scheduled Caste (SC) and 3.84% Scheduled Tribe (ST) of total
population in Kullu district. (census of india 2011)

Agriculture and Horticulture

The agricultural and horticultural practices of the region vary from other parts of India due to a
variety of factors. The most important one is, of course, the unique climate and landscape of the
Himalayas. The mountainous territory strongly influences both techniques and crops. Most
agriculture takes place in the form of terrace cultivation, with small strips of the mountain slopes
having been more or less leveled out to allow cultivation. The quality of the soil is less than
optimal with few nutrients and many small stones and rocky patches. Further, the altitude leads
to a harsh climate. While in the valleys with an altitude of around 1500 m above sea level the
cultivation can still take place most of the year; it is reduced in the summer months in regions
above 2500 m. Yet, the people there particularly depend on agriculture for survival, largely
because the remote locality of their villages denies opportunities in other fields. The area is
purely rain-fed, which creates difficulties if the monsoon and snow fall turn out weak. Problems
of accessibility and transport are further crucial aspects of the farming in Kullu district.
Horticulture plays an important role in the economic life and prosperity of the people of Kullu.
During the last three decades, Kullu has made tremendous progress in the field of Horticulture.
Greater emphasis is being laid on this sector because the geographical features and climatic
conditions prevailing in the district are ideally suited for fruit farming. Among all the fruits

12
grown in Kullu, apples are most widely grown and represent commercially the most important
fruit crop. The cultivated apple area is 18,524 hectares. The annual apple production usually lies
between 80,000 to 90,000 metric tons. This represents about 9,000 truckloads of apples every
year. Apart from apples other varieties of fruits grown in Kullu are plum, peach, apricot,
pomegranates and kiwi as well as nuts, especially almonds. These fruit plantations cover an area
of 3065 hectares and the annual production is approximately 20,000 metric tons.

Land Use and Land Cover

The mountain systems are complex ecological entities endowed with a vast resource base for its
populace; they also support livelihood and developmental activities in the adjacent lowland
areas. Kullu district is situated in the central part of the Himachal Pradesh. The area is an
example of a natural region as it is bounded by northwest-southeast running Pir-Panjal range in
the north separating Beas River valley of Kullu from Chandra-Bhaga (The Chenab River) valley
of Lahaul and Spiti district. Kullu is fifth largest district of Himachal Pradesh in terms of
geographical area, ninth in terms of population that accounts for about 6.38 per cent of the total
state population. The district has a population of about 0.43 million people living in 4 urban and
172 rural settlements. The historical information on land use of Kullu valley during 19th and
early 20th centuries reveals that land use/land utilization arrangements in Kullu was based on
Village-use areas; forests or pasture lands were considered as common property of the villages.

Forest

The Forests of Himachal Pradesh known for their grandeur and majesty are like a green pearl in
the Himalayan crown. This life supporting systems are presently under great stress due to impact
of modern civilization, economic development and growth in human and cattle population.
According to national Forest Policy, 1988, at least two third i.e. 66% of the geographical area
should be under forest in the hilly states like Himachal Pradesh. However, keeping in view that
about 20 % of the area is inaccessible and beyond the tree limit, the State Government aims to
bring 50% of the geographical area under forest cover.

Lakes and Rivers

13
The Beas and Sutlej are the main rivers of the district. The Beas, which forms the world famous
valley of Kullu, rises from the Pir Panjar Ranges near “Rohtang Pass” at a height of over 3900
meters above mean sea level and flows southwards for about 12m Kms. It leaves Kullu at place
called Bajaura. Saij and Parvati are its main tributaries. The river Beas and its tributaries have
lowest level during the winter months of December, January and February and highest level
during June, July and August. Occasionally the floods also occur in Kullu in August. The Satluj
River on the southern side of the district rises from Mansarover in Tibet and touches the district
in Nirmand Tehsil opposite Rampur Tehsil of Shimla District. Mantalai, Khirganga, Brighu,
Dashar and Sarelosar lakes are also in this district. Apart from this some very beautiful water
falls, Hot springs and lakes also form part of this district.

Relief

The area possesses high relative or local relief which refers to the difference between the highest
and the lowest altitude in an area. The higher values indicate rapid rise in altitude and presence
of faults, lower relief signifies mature topography. A determinant of morphological character of
an area, relative relief has noteworthy alliance with landslide by acting as a triggering factor. As
a risk agent, relative relief plays a decisive role in the vulnerability of settlements, transport
network and land. In Kullu district, there is wide variation in relative relief, as shown in map,
ranging from low to very high. About 13.39 %, 60.13% and 26.48 % area has low (below 200m),
moderate (200-400m) and high (above 400m) relative relief respectively. About 13.39 %,
60.13% and 26.48 % area has low (below 200m), moderate (200-400m) and high (above 400m)
relative relief respectively.

Climate

The great diversity in relief, variation in elevation, and the geographical location of Kullu district
has given diverse climatic conditions. Generally, the climate is cold and dry and the year can be
divided into three season: 1. 2. 3. Summer Rainy Winter : : March to June July to September :
October to February Summer season in Kullu starts in March and lasts until June. During
summers, the maximum temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius in the day, while the nights still
retain a bit of chill. From December to February, this period is very chilly. Heavy frost occurs
during this period. Snowfall generally occurs during December and January or an early snowfall

14
may occur in November also. During this period, most of the parts of the district remain under
cover of snow. Max temperature is 38.8° C and minimum is 5.2° C in winter. The average
rainfall observed in the district is about 80 Cm. During rainy season Natural Calamities in the
form of could burst and heavy floods have been taking place in district in past 2 to 3 decades.
Also due to deposition of debris at the center of the nala, the erosion has been started along the
banks of the river which leads to change the course of river many times. In some cases, water
flowing along the banks results in undercutting of the slopes by a river. This undercutting serves
both to increase the gradient of the slope, reducing stability, and to remove toe weighting, which
also causes heavy landslides.

Drainage

Kullu district is drained by one major river; the River Beas and in addition to this river there are
three other secondary rivers namely; River Parvati which drains central part of the Kullu district,
River Sainj which drains the central southern part of the district and River Tirthan which drains
the southern part of the district. In the extreme southern part there are two small tributaries which
join the River Sutlej in Shimla district. All together the Kullu district is occupied mainly by one
river basin called as Bear River Basin which is contributed by various river tributaries

Table 2.2

Sr No Name of the River Area Drainded (sq % of area drained

km)
1. Beas River 1482 26.98
2. Parvati River 1753 31.90
3 Sainj River 792 14.41
4. Tirthan River 575 10.46
5. Sutlej Tributeries 710 12.92
6 Gadsa Nala 184 3.35
Total 5495 100
Source: https://emerginghimachal.hp.gov.in

15
 CHAPTER-3

SOCIAL COMPOSITION

Introduction

Social composition refers to the structure, diversity, and characteristics of a society, including its
demographic, cultural, economic, and political dimensions. It encompasses the various groups
and categories that make up a social system, such as age, gender, ethnicity, class, religion, and
occupation, as well as the interactions and relationships between these groups. Understanding
social composition is crucial for analyzing the dynamics within a society, as it helps identify
patterns of inequality, power relations, and social cohesion.

India is one of the most diverse countries in the world, characterized by a complex social
composition that includes a wide array of ethnic, linguistic, religious, cultural, and economic
groups. Understanding the social composition of India is essential to grasp the country's social
dynamics, historical development, and challenges.

Himachal Pradesh, a state in northern India, has a diverse social composition shaped by its
geographic, cultural, and historical factors. The state's population is predominantly rural, with a
significant portion residing in hill towns and scattered villages. The social fabric is influenced by
various ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural groups. The majority of the population belongs
to Indo-Aryan ethnic groups, who speak languages from the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-
European language family. The people of Himachal Pradesh celebrate various Hindu festivals,
including Dussehra, Diwali, and Navratri, but there are also local festivals such as Lohri,
Baisakhi, and Kullu Dussehra. The social composition of Himachal Pradesh is deeply
intertwined with its natural surroundings, religious beliefs, and historical influences. The state's
predominantly Hindu population lives alongside Buddhist and Muslim minorities, while its
diverse linguistic and cultural communities continue to maintain their unique identities. The rural
population predominates, although urban centers are growing due to tourism, education, and
government jobs. The cultural and social diversity of Himachal Pradesh makes it a unique and
vibrant state in northern India.

16
Social composition of kullu

Kullu, a district located in the northern part of Himachal Pradesh, is known for its stunning
landscapes, cultural diversity, and historical significance. The social composition of Kullu
reflects a blend of traditional hill culture, religion, and various ethnic groups, influenced by both
local and external traditions. The majority of Kullu's population belongs to Indo-Aryan ethnic
groups, specifically Pahari communities. These groups speak Kullu Pahari, a dialect of the
Western Pahari language, which is part of the Indo-Aryan family. This language is an essential
part of the district’s cultural identity, with unique expressions, idioms, and folklore. Like much of
Himachal Pradesh, Kullu has a traditional caste structure, though it is less rigid compared to other parts
of India. There is a significant proportion of the population belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs),
Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). These groups contribute to the district's
cultural and social diversity.

Demographic composition of Study Area

Table.3.1

GENDER/SEX NO OF RESPONDENTS
Male 182
Female 176
Source: primary data of 2024

Total 358 respondents were surveyed out of which 182 were male and 176 were female.

Age of Respondents

Table 3.2

S.NO Age Categories No of Respondents

1 <20 17
2 20-40 149
3 40-60 147
4 60-80 41
5 >80 3

17
 Source: Primary Data of 2024

It can be observed that most of the respondents were in the category of 20-40 and 40-60 i.e 149
& 147 respondents respectively. It can be assumed that the study area has a majority number of
working population. Only 3 respondents were above the age of 80 which somewhat depicts the
life expectancy of the study area.

Tribal Composition of Kullu

Table 3.3

CATEOGARIES NO OF RESPONDENTS
S.NO
1 General(Tahkur,Rajput,Singh, 19
Negi, Bodh, Nepali, Lahaouri,
Kinnauri)
2 Obc ( Gorkha, Koli, Jaat, 8
Himachali)
3 SC (Chamar) 3
4 ST (Bhotiya, Swangla, 9
Pahadi)
5 Others 319
6 Total Respondents 357
Source: primary data of 2024

The study area has a slightly less tribal communities such as Bhotiya, Pahadi , Gorkha, Koli,
Himachali, Swangla etc. Most of the respondents belong to non tribal communities. Many
communities like Nepali and Lahori are migrants from other states. All together forms the tribal
composition of the study area.

Marital Status

Table 3.4

18
S.NO Marital Status No of Respondents
1 Single 109
2 Married 221
3 Divorced 0
4 Widow/Widower 28
Source-primary data of 2024

Out of 357 respondents 221 were married, 109 were single, 0 were divorced and 28 were widow
or widower. Through the above data it can interpreted that the study area has almost 0 divorce
rate which shows the strong cultural influences and bonding as a family.

Educational Status

Table 3.5

S.NO Level of Education No of Respondents

1 Primary(0-5) 120
2 Secondary(6-10) 215
3 Senior Secondary(11-12) 173
4 Graduation 111
5 Post Graduation 37
6 More 11
Source: primary data of 2024

From the above data we can say that about 93% people are educated out of which 22% people
have completed their graduation and about 32% have studied till secondary and 26% have
completed their senior secondary. The data respresents a higher %age of education among the

19
respondents which is an important component is the social and economical aspect of the study
area.

Number of Family Members Earning

Fig 3.1

No of Members Earning
250
200
150 No of Members
100 Earning

50
0
Bandrol Seobagh Bhirindi Gojra Karjan

Source: primary data of 2024

From the above data it can be said that out of 357 respondents most of them were earing and a
majority number of respondents had more than one earning member in their family. This show
self realibility and ecomonic status of the study area.

Occupation of Earning people

Fig 3.2

Occupational Data Pension

1%
Service
8%
Gov Job
13%

Agriculture
54%
Business
24%

Source: Primary Data of 2024

20
More than 50% of respondents are engaged in agriculture for their source of income which
means the dominance of primary sector. Those who are engaged in business opt for taxi drivers
and tourist guides mostly. Others are engaged in government sectors such a gov teacher.

Nature of Work

Table 3.6

Nature of Work No of Respondents

Permanent wage woker 194
Seasonal wage worker 86
Daily wage worker 47
Unemployed 1
Others 29
Total Respondents 357

Source: Primary data of 2024

From the given data it can be observed that majority people are permanent wage worker that
implies they have a permanent source of income while people who are seasonal and daily wage
worker are often dependent on various factors for their earning, these may include seasonal
labors.

Income

Table 3.7

Categories No of Respondents
1-20,000 183
20-40000 47
40-60000 36

21
 60-80000 27
80-100000 29
1L-1.20L 23
None 11
Total Respondents 357

Source: Primary Data of 2024

Out of 357 respondents 183 had their monthly income between 1-20,000 which is below average
for maintaining a standard lifestyle. Study Area has a lower PCI in compared to other states such
as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. One of the main reason can be hindrance due to mountains and
extreme climatic conditions.

Those respondents who has a higer income slab are business dependent people and large
agricultural land owners. The monthly income of the respondents range from nil- 1.20L as a
result of different occupation type such as some are only dependent of agriculture while many
has more than one source of income.

Migration

Table 3.8

Category No of Respondent
Local 234
Migrants 123
Total Respondent 357
Source: primary data of 2024

Place of Migration

Fig 3.3

22
 West Bengal Bihar Nepal
Uttar Pradesh Lahore Uttrakhand 4%
Jharkhand Assam Madhya Pradesh
Chattisgarh Punjab
7%
2%
20%
20%

2%
4% 28%
2% 7%
4%

Source: primary data of 2024

Reason For Migration

Fig 3.4

REASON OF MIGRATION
70
60
60
50
40
30
20 12
7 10 9 10 2
10 1 1 4 3 1
0

Source: Primary data of 2024

Out of 357 respondnets 123 were migrants which is fairly a large share. This shows the pull
factors in the study area such as better opportunities anf favourablr land for agricultural uses.
Migrants consisted from various states such as west Bengal , Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand

23
(fig 3.3). Migrations are a resultant of various factors such as education, job, ancestral land,
marriage.

Chapterization

The demographics of the Kullu Valley are examined in this chapter, with particular attention
paid to a survey that was carried out in the villages of Bandrol, Seobagh, Bharindi, Gijra, and
Karjan. It explores the region's societal features and social makeup. 357 respondents were asked
direct questions about age, gender, tribal affiliation, and basic information about their family
members, including age, marital status, educational background, and the number of wage earners
in the home, in order to obtain a better understanding of the demographic makeup of the region.
They were also asked about their place of origin, yearly income, and occupations. The responses
offered useful data for examining the valley's occupational landscape, the social structure, and
the respondents' social standing.

24
 Chapter 4

Livelihood

Having enough food and money to cover essential expenses is what is meant by livelihood. The
term "security" describes the assurance of resource ownership or access to revenue-generating
opportunities, including reserves and resources that can be used to mitigate shocks, control risks,
and react to unforeseen circumstances. The long-term preservation or improvement of resource
productivity is the main goal of sustainability. A household can achieve sustainable livelihood
security in a number of ways, including by owning land, animals, or trees; exercising their rights
to hunt, gather, fish, or graze; finding steady work that pays well; or engaging in a range of
activities.
A livelihood can be understood as a system with various interrelated components. These
components help hape how people live, what they have access to, and how they manage risks.

Rural Livelihood

India's swift economic growth has sought to incorporate the rural populace, predominantly
situated in regions where rain-fed agriculture serves as the main income source. Nevertheless,
poverty persists due to limited and unequal access to essential productive resources such as land,
water, advanced inputs and technologies, and microfinance, compounded by droughts and other
natural disasters. Low levels of literacy and skills further entrench individuals in poverty,
hindering their ability to assert their basic rights or engage in supplementary activities that could
generate income or facilitate asset creation. The focus extends beyond mere poverty alleviation;
it is crucial for individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and foster their own development. Often,
rural community members possess valuable knowledge, yet they lack sufficient opportunities to
utilize this knowledge effectively.

Numerous avenues exist for individuals to secure their livelihoods in rural regions. These areas
are characterized by limited technological advancement, a scarcity of factories and industries,
and few modern employment opportunities. When envisioning rural India, images of villages,
farmers, crops, and livestock typically come to mind. A variety of agricultural and non-
agricultural activities are available, which residents leverage to sustain their livelihoods.

25
Himachal Pradesh predominantly features a rural economy, with approximately 90% of its
population residing in rural regions. For these individuals, agriculture serves as the primary
source of income and sustenance. However, it is important to note that in both Himachal and
India as a whole, most farmers are categorized as small-scale operators, managing less than 2
hectares of land. Most people in Himachal Pradesh depend for their livelihood on agriculture,
pastoralism, transhumance (seasonal herding), horticulture, and forestry. However, the
government of Himachal Pradesh has encouraged the development and dispersal of
manufacturing, with different towns—mostly in the southern part of the state—often specializing
in the manufacture of particular goods. Despite its remote location, Himachal Pradesh has a
reasonably well-developed infrastructure that not only has aided domestic mobility but also has
helped in the promotion of tourism.

4.2 . Livelihood of the study area

4.2.1. Housing

Fig 4.1

No of Respondents

67

Pakka House
Kaccha House

290

. Source: Primary data of 2024

Out of 357 respondents majority had pakka house(290) and few had kaccha house (67). Some of
the respondents have their house iheeritaded from their families(172) and few had rentals(62).

26
4.2.2 Vehical Data

Fig 4.2

123

yes
no
228

Source: Primary data of 2024

Among 357 respondents 228 had their own vehicle such as car, jeep,van, motorbike, truck tempo
scooter etc and 129 didn‘t have any mode of transportation of their own.

4.2.3 Transportation and communication

Fig 4.3

Road Connectivity
140
140 129
No of Respondents

120
100
80
60 39
42
40
No of Respondents
20
0 7

Source: Primary data of 2024

27
The overall condition of roads can be assumed to be average as majority of respondents felt it’s
average. 7 people defined road condition as very bad, 42 as bad, 39 as very good, 140 as good
and 129 as average.

4.2.4 Public Transportation

Fig 4.4

Accessibility To Public Transport

53, 15% 5 to 10 min

102, 28%
31, 9% 10 to 15 min
15 to 20 min
20 to 25 min
111, 31% 60, 17%
>25 min

Sourve: Primary data of 2024

The access to public transport was overall good as majority of respondents (102) has to travel
only 5 min to access a public bus. This reflects the development and accessibility of government.

4.3 Migration for Higher Education

Fig 4.5

If Migrated for Higher Education

67, 19%
YES
NO
290, 81%

Source: Primary data of 2024

28
According to the sample survery families of 290 respondnets has migrated to some other place
for higher education. This show a lack in availability of higher education. The study area has a
few number of institution .

4.4Economic Status
4.4.1 Agriculture Type

Table 4.1

Agriculture Type No of Respondents

Owner of agricultural land and employer of 106
labors for work
Owner of agricultural land and work in your 167
own
Rental agricultural land 6
Agricultural labourer 12
Seasonal migrant agricultural labourer 1
None 65
Source: Primary data of 2024

Among 357 respondents 167 had their own land and work in their own,106 people have their
own land but employ laborer for work , 6 people had rental agricultural land ,12 work as laborers
and1 work as a seasonal laborer.

4.4.2 Landholding

Table 4.2

Size of Landholding No of Respondent

0-1 Bigha 10
1-10 Bigha 178
10-20 Bigha 30
> 20 Bigha 13
0-1 Acre 5
1-10 Acre 24
10-20 Acre 7
N.A 90
Source: Primary data of 2024

10 of the 357 respondents own about one bigha of land, 178 have between one and ten bigha of
land, thirty have between ten and twenty bigha of land, thirteen have more than twenty bigha of
land, five have about one acre of land, twenty-four have between one and ten acres of land, and
ninety-nine have no land holding.

29
4.4.3 Crop Type

Table 4.3

Type of Crop No of Respondent

Kharif Crop 99
Rabi Crop 231
Others 26
Source: Primary data of 2024

According to the conducted survey majority farmers were growing rabi crops such as Japanese
apple and othe fruits. Many people culticayed soybeans and Rajma aslo

4.4.4 Market

Table 4.4

Market Area No of Respondent

Kullu Market 132
Local Market 27
Both Local & Kullu Market 16
Other State 14
Kullu Market, Local Market & Other State 14
Self Consumption 23
Engaged in Primary Activities 226
Source: Primary data of 2024

About 132 respondents to the sample survey sell their agricultural products in their villages' local
markets, about 27 in the Kullu market, about 16 in both the Kullu and local markets, about 14
outside of Himachal Pradesh, and about 25 who grow it for their own use.

4.4.5 Mode of Transportation to Market

Fig 4.6

30
 Mode od Transpotation to Market

29%
Public
Private
71%

Source: Primary data of 2024

Through the sample survery it can be concluded that 71% of people are reliable on government
transportation while 29% has their own private mode of transportation.

4.5 Chapterization

The livelihoods of the people living in the Kullu Valley, particularly in the villages of Bandrol,
Seobagh, Bharindi, Gojra, and Karjan, are the main subject of this chapter. In order to gather
information about the participants' housing conditions, residential status, opinions of the state of
the roads, and the distances between their residences and public transportation options, the
researchers asked them observational questions. Inquiries were also made about their agricultural
practices, such as the kinds of crops they grew, the extent of their land holdings, and the
character of their agricultural endeavors. With the analysis based on the responses obtained from
these conversations, the study also examined the difficulties they face during natural disasters,
looking at their coping mechanisms and the degree of government support they receive during
such occurrences.

31
 CHAPTER 5

GOVERNANCE

5.1 Introduction

The term "governance" in modern society and in a democratic setting refers to the processes by
which an entity, especially a government, creates its policies, passes pertinent laws, carries out
related programs, evaluates their efficacy, and makes required modifications.
This entails making necessary changes to laws and programs and making sure that citizens and
stakeholders are held accountable in order to gain their consent to govern. According to Bevir
(2012), governance is more generally defined as "all processes of governing, whether conducted
by a government, market, or network, whether concerning a family, tribe, formal or informal
organization, or territory, and whether through laws, norms, power, or language." Additionally, it
is linked to "the processes of interaction and decision-making among the actors involved in a
collective issue that result in the establishment.

For a number of reasons, it is crucial to understand how the public feels about the way the
government is performing. Firstly, studies indicate that favorable perceptions of public sector
efficacy can encourage active participation among citizens . Indeed, one of the most important
markers of a strong and thriving democracy is the public's opinion of efficient government
management. For instance, studies have shown that higher levels of citizen satisfaction with
government services are correlated with favorable opinions about government performance.

It is critical to acknowledge the substantial discrepancy between citizens' perceptions of a

performance and its actual performance. "Perceptions of administrative performance do not
necessarily match actual performance," as stated by Van de Walle and Bouckaert (2007).
However, perceptions are important because they influence citizens' behavior (p. 1135). This
realization raises an important question: In what situations is government thought to be truly
effective? In particular, is government considered successful only when public policies are
carried out by civil servants and produce definite results? Alternatively, regardless of whether

32
objective performance metrics are positive, is government deemed successful when citizens are
happy with the way public services are delivered?

5.2 Governance of Study Area

5.2.1 Awareness of government policies and schemes

Table 5.1
Awareness about government schemes No of Respondents
Yes 154
No 195
Don’t know (recently migrated) 8
Source: primary data of 2024
Around 154 respondents were aware about government policies and schemes and 195
respondents weren’t aware. Awareness among people shows how the concerning government is
carrying out the schemes introduced for the subjects of the region or state. More than 50%
respondents weren’t aware which depicts a lack to general awareness or can it a resultant of poor
education.
Some of the schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna, Ujjwala Yojna, Vridha Pension,
MANREGA were known among people

5.2.2 Awareness about educational and employment schemes of government

Table 5.2

Awareness Status No of respondents Related Policies

Yes 99 Ayushman Yojna, PDA
No 221 System, Widow pension,
Can’t say 37 Sukanya Yojna, MANREGA,
Atal Pension, Free Education,
Mukhyamantri Gyandeep
Yojna
Source: Primary data of 2024

33
Policy related to education and employment are a contributing factor to the social and economic
strata of a area. According to the primary survey 221 respondents had no idea about any schemes
related to education and employment. Some schemes that were known are Sukanya Yojna, Right
to Education, Mukhyamantri Gyandeep Yojna etc. These factors and awareness directly affect
the components like literacy rate, PCI and overall growth of an area.

5.2.3 Opinion of respondents regarding development

Table 5.3

No opinion 315
Satisfied 42
Total Respondent 357
Source: Primary data of 2024

After surveying the study area it has been observed that people praised the government for
construction of better roads and free electricity upto 300 units. Also free healthcare services are
being provided to everyone on 18th of every month. Agricultural supplements such as fertilizers
are being provided at a subsidized rate. The construction of a new ITI college (Bhirindi) can be
seen as development in a positive way in the field of education.

On the other hand many respondents were not satisfied enough with the government they
complained about about irrationally slow work and migrants in the area are facing problem basic
rights such as voter card and are denied right to vote.

It has been observed that people who are engaged in non-agricultural sector are happy with the
current policies while people engaged in agricultural sector are not satisfied.

5.2.4 Healthcare Facilities

Fig 5.1

34
 5%
19% Private hospital

Local Clinics
19%
Government
1.2 Hospital
PHCs/
Dispencary

Source: Primary data of 2024

About 57% of the sample survey's participants are dispensaries, followed by local clinics (19%),
government hospitals (19%), and private hospitals (5%).

5.3 Chapeterization

Based on people's sincere opinions about government actions, this chapter explores how the
public views the government. It starts with inquiries meant to assess public knowledge of various
government programs and policies before moving on to discuss opinions on the improvements
the government has made to infrastructure, including roads, schools, and healthcare facilities.
This chapter basically acts as an assessment of the government's pledges in light of their actual
execution.

35
 CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

6.1 Conclusion
A total of 357 households in 5 villages were surveyed for this assessment. Approximately 39%
of these individuals fell into the general category. 34% of the population falls into the ST
category, 21% are OBC, and 5% are from the SC category. The study sample's average HH
family size ranged from 4 to 8. Nearly 51% of the sample assessment's participants are men, and
49% are women. About 80% of the population is literate, according to the survey's literacy level,
and 148 out of 357 respondents have completed graduation or higher. The study sample's
working population makes up 64% of the total, with the remaining 36% falling into the
dependent population category, which includes those who are elderly, retired, or still in school.

In practically every village, the respondents cited a lack of work and income-generating
opportunities as one of the main issues .Nearly every village's residents reported that there are
few job opportunities in their communities. Employment opportunities are seasonal, they claim.
Roughly sixteen percent of the population has moved in pursuit of long-term employment.
During election seasons, the migrants in the sample study experienced discrimination. According
to our analysis, roughly 54% of people made their living from agriculture.

The study area under survey benefits economically from agriculture and related activities, but the
current landscape is shifting as industries and services take precedence. About 21% of
respondents to the sample survey worked in the service industry, and roughly 23% of
respondents were self-employed and owned their own businesses. This shows an increase in
various sects, which has been made possible by a number of government initiatives.

Bandrol, Seobagh, Bharindi, Gojra, and Karjan were the five main villages included in the Kullu
Valley survey. The results showed that while about 19 percent of households live in kaccha
houses made of wood and stones, about 81 percent of households live in pakka houses. In
addition, approximately 34% of people own their own permanent homes, 45% reside in ancestral
homes, and roughly 17% rent out their homes. In terms of vehicle ownership, 64% of people
own cars, motorcycles, and scooters, while 36% lack any kind of mode of transportation. There

36
have been concerns expressed about connectivity and road conditions; one respondent related a
tragic event in which her mother died as a result of delays brought on by bad road conditions,
which made it difficult for reach hospital on time.
The bulk of farmers are marginal, with land holdings ranging from two to five bighas, despite the
fact that public transportation is easily accessible within ten to fifteen minutes. They mainly
grow crops like wheat, barley, maize, and apples, which are important cash crops in the area.
This is aclear dependence on agriculture. Since it is the primary occupation of the majority of the
population; roughly 30% of them hire workers on their properties, while 47% of them work their
own land. The fact that 226 households own a variety of animals, primarily sheep, goats, and
cows, further demonstrates their reliance on the primary sector. The majority of livestock sales
take place in local markets, and villagers usually use public transportation to sell their animals.

37
38