Integrated Tribal Development Plan For Konda Savaras of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram Districts of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The Konda Savara area has been brought under planned development since 1964 when the Bhadragiri and Seethampeta Tribal Development Blocks were established. The Konda Savara area has also been benefitted by the activities of T.D. Blocks, G.D.A., and I.T.D.A. The various development facilities established in the Konda Savara area since the inception of T.D. Blocks were mentioned in this report. The Konda Savaras are least vociferous and ignorant of the advantages of seeking development, consequently they remained neglected and under development. It is such a situation of neglect and underdevelopment of the Primitive groups that necessitated starting of special project exclusively mean for Primitive Tribes. As part of this strategy the Konda Savaras are recognized as Primitive Tribe in 1983 by Government of India. Actions plans prepared exclusively for Konda Savara development by the ITDA of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam for promoting the development of Konda Savaras of respective ITDA areas. Family based programme was initiated to remove the basic constrains operating on the socio-economic environment of the Konda Savara and to remedy the situation caused by the ecological disequilibrium. The project population has been broadly classified on the basis of their main source of livelihood into three major categories i.e., settled cultivators, shifting cultivators, terrace cultivators and landless forest and agricultural workers. As a result, based on the livelihood categories there are various programmes were implemented in each livelihood category among the Konda Savara. After implementing these schemes, there were markedly changes noticed and reflected in the development among the Konda Savara. Any development plan needs to be built upon understanding of the people, local resources and their current needs. According a felt needs survey has been taken up to asses the magnitude of their aspiration and their development needs. The present plan though emphasizes introduction of income generation schemes to make them economically independent, also sufficient stress on provision of basic services in a region of long neglect. The sector-wise analysis of their felt needs and programmes based on felt needs are Agriculture, Land Development, Irrigation, Calf Rearing Scheme, Social Services, Rural Water Supply, General Model School on the lines of Residential School, Kuddapalle, Seethampeta.