Haats in Tribal Areas

haats

Local weekly rural markets, also known as Haats, incentivize the rural population and ensure a platform to showcase and sell not only agricultural and allied goods but also the handicrafts, etc. Similarly, Tribal Haats are no different. As for Gujarat, there are about 182 traditional weekly haats in tribal areas. Each tribal taluka has a fixed day for organizing these haats for the Scheduled Tribes. Local produces like agriculture produces, vegetables, spices, minor forest produce, wild fruits, honey, clothes, pet birds, eggs, animals, fishes etc. are sold at a reasonable rate, which are comparatively lower than the other markets.

Due to the poor economic condition, the tribal people are unable to afford permanent structures like shops / shades / shelters. Therefore, they are forced to setup their stalls in the open. The Government of Gujarat has planned to develop some traditional Haats as Haat Bazars with all modern facilities like platform, shade, parking, toilet facilities, electricity, drinking water facility, security, etc. This would encourage local people to purchase items from these Haat Bazars and will accommodate more tribal people to sell their produces and thereby improve local economy.

In the first phase, 12 (twelve) such Haat Bazars may be created, one in each tribal district. Each Haat Bazar will cost approx. Rs. 2.00 Crore. During the year 2014-15, two such Haat Bazars were approved on pilot basis and will be located in Tapi and Surat districts. The construction of the modern facility is under process. Further, ten more such Haat Bazars will be undertaken in 2015-16.