Evaluation of the Chenchu Development Programmes in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Tribal communities which are still in Pre-Agricultural level of technology and facing the problem of survival are identified as primitive groups needing special attention. Consequently, Chenchus who are food gathering and hunting tribe living in the backward and continuous areas of Mahaboonagar, Nalgonda, Rangareddy, Kurnool, Prakasham, and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh are identified as primitive and isolated group requiring special care. During 1974-75 for Promotion of accelerated development project for primitive Tribal Group (Chenchus) was established and suitable schemes were evolved. The programmes mainly at creation of a stable base for this primitive and food gathering tribe so that the shift from food gathering to sedentary economic life. With dependable source of livelihood is smooth without disrupting the gradual process of growing out from one stage of economic life to another. The strategy of the plan is to help the primitive Chenchus to grow out of the food gathering stage by first introducing them to horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry, so that they can be introduced to more improved operations of agriculture and local raw material based industries in the next stage. While preparing them for the first stage of programme, a simultaneous programme of land development was planned besides training them in various agricultural and cottage and small scale industries. As the Chenchus are scattered over six districts and living not suit their requirements, a household based approach was adopted and it was planned to help each Chenchu household with one or the other economic programmes. The plan is in operation since 1975-76 and an amount of Rs. 36 lakhs has been spent on different schemes so far. The Government of India desired to know the level of development and to assess the gap between the Chenchus and other local population and also to know to what extent the gap has been bridged consequent on the implementation of the plan programmes and identified needs. Hence, an evaluation of the project was undertaken. Since time immemorial the Chenchus inhabited the Nallamalai forest on either side of river Krishna. Apart from these forest Chenchus a sizable over the state. As per the guidelines given by Government of India for the identification of primitive groups with small sized population still adopting Pre-Agricultural level of technology mainly subsisting on food gathering, hunting and shifting or primitive cultivation with allow level of literacy rate not exceeding 1-2% are treated as Primitive Tribal Groups. The Integrated Tribal Development Project for Chenchus covers 247 Chenchus settlements and 4407 house holds identified for development over six districts in the agency as well as plains areas. In Guntur district this programme has been extended to cover all Chenchus irrespective of their economic status, though the plan has suggested to develop only the primitive groups. It was observed during the sample survey that several beneficiaries belong to that Yanadi community. Hence, the Chenchus still depend upon forest and continue to consume roots, tubers, leaves, fruits, insects, small animals, seeds and even unpalatable food stuffs and many varieties of insets and animals. They have traditional skill in hunting. Minor Forest Produce, honey collection and basket making provide them subsidiary employment. They are also employed by the forest work, teak plantation, nurseries etc.