The Savar people were included in the list of scheduled tribes of West Bengal in the year 1956, only in the Purulia district. They are presently scattered in districts of Bankura and Midnapore along with Purulia district. We have concentrated on the district of Purulia where we have surveyed for a few years and observed that here the Savar community are the poorest of all the scheduled tribes. The traditional forest-dwelling tribe lacked the experience of agriculture, so they relied on the forest for their livelihood.

There were police restrictions in 2004, to access the forest because of the Naxal rebellion, and in 2008 Savar villages suffered severe flooding. After these incidental changes, their occupation as plantation or agricultural labourers forced them to migrate to other districts. Occupationally they work in fields during the periods of irrigation to harvesting which would be almost 4 months in a year. After that period, many rely on the 100 days work plan of the government as day labourers. Rest of the time they earn their living by weaving Shaal Patta, bamboo baskets and brooms.

Their annual earnings are not enough to support their family in terms of food and nourishment. The need for food got simplified to a percentage by government aid as subsidized rationing, but their need for clothing has risen drastically. This is due to their economical stature, which is very fragile in nature. This is because the wages they earn as agricultural labourers are paid in cash and kind. Also what they earn as daily wage labour turns out to be insufficient in affording proper clothing, education and medical support.