Tribal Development

Mains Syllabus: GS II - Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable section

Why in the News?

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched an outreach programme, targeting around 1 lakh tribal-dominated villages, to ensure doorstep delivery of two welfare schemes.

What is the status of tribal population in India?

• Population of Scheduled Tribes - The 2011 census indicates that there are 705 Scheduled Tribes in India, comprising about 8.6% of the country's total population.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) - There are 75 officially recognised PVTGs across various states in India.
• Tribal Diversity - Tribal communities in India have diverse cultural practices, languages, and social structures.
• Tribal Development - Among Scheduled Tribes, communities are at varying stages of social, economic, and educational development.
• While some have adopted modern lifestyles, others still live at a pre-agricultural stage, relying on hunting and gathering for survival.

What are the problems faced by tribals?

• Loss of Ancestral Lands – Tribes are often displaced from their traditional lands due to large-scale development projects (dams, mines, industries), deforestation, and urban expansion.
• Exploitation and Indebtedness - Tribals often fall prey to moneylenders and middlemen who exploit them through high-interest loans and unfair trade practices, leading to a cycle of debt.
• High Incidence of Diseases - They suffer from higher rates of malnutrition (especially among women and children), infectious diseases, and poor maternal and child health outcomes.
• Tribal populations in India face a disproportionate burden of various diseases, including infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and leprosy
• Illiteracy - The literacy rate for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India, according to the 2011 Census, was 59% which is significantly lower than the overall national literacy rate of 73%.

What are the challenges in tribal development?

• Remote Location - Most reside in ecologically fragile and inaccessible regions such as forests, hills, and remote rural areas.
• These settlements often make it difficult for government welfare schemes to reach them.
• Subsistence Livelihood - Their livelihoods depend primarily on subsistence agriculture, forests, and traditional occupations.
• Lack of Secure Tenure - Many tribal communities lack formal land titles or recognized rights, making them vulnerable to land alienation and exploitation by external parties.
• Education in Mother Tongue – There are limitations such as diversity of tribal languages, non written form of the languages and shortage of human resource,  in providing eduation in mother tongue to tribalse.
• Bureacratic Dominance - Bureaucratic nature of implementing tribal development programmes often overlooks the involvement of tribal communities in decision-making and reduces their effectiveness.

What needs to be done for tribal development?

• The development of tribal communities in India is a complex, ongoing process that requires a multi-pronged and sensitive approach.
• Effective Implementation of PESA (Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996) to grant self-governance to tribal communities.
• Recognition of individual and community forest rights can be strengthened.
• Providing demand-driven skill development and vocational training programs tailored to their specific needs.
• Following tribal panchsheel formulated by Jawaharlal Nehru ensures that development approach respects tribal identity, culture, and self-determination.

References

1. The Indian Express | Centre’s outreach to tribal people
2. Deccan Hearald | Margins to mainstream