Tribal Diversity in Odisha: Focus on PVTGs

Q: How many types of tribals are there in Odisha? What are the issues and problems of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups?

Odisha is home to a rich ethnographic diversity, boasting the largest number of tribal communities in India. According to the Census 2011, tribes constitute approximately 22.85% of the state's population.

Classification of Tribals in Odisha

There are 62 Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in Odisha. These are broadly categorized into:

  • Mainstream Tribes: Groups like the Santal, Gond, and Munda, who have relatively higher interaction with the non-tribal population.
  • Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): Out of the 75 PVTGs in India, 13 are found in Odisha (the highest for any state). Examples: Bonda, Dongria Kondh, Juang, and Kutia Kondh.

Issues and Problems of PVTGs

PVTGs face existential threats due to their unique socio-economic status:

  • Demographic Vulnerability: Many groups face stagnant or declining populations due to high infant mortality and genetic issues like sickle cell anemia.
  • Livelihood Insecurity: Dependency on Shifting Cultivation (Podu Chasa) and Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is threatened by deforestation and restrictive forest laws.
  • Land Alienation: Despite Schedule V protections, tribal land is often lost to industrialization and mining, leading to involuntary displacement.
  • Health and Literacy: Extreme isolation results in malnutrition and low literacy rates, creating a barrier to government welfare schemes.

Definition of Key Term

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG): A government classification for tribes characterized by a pre-agricultural level of technology, stagnant population, extremely low literacy, and a subsistence level of economy.

Conclusion

The development of PVTGs requires a Rights-based approach rather than mere welfare. Programs like the OPELIP (Odisha Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme) are essential. Safeguarding their Cultural Identity while ensuring Inclusive Growth is vital for the "Social Justice" vision of the state.

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