Integrated Tribal Development Plan for Nicobar District

Abstract

The Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute, Andhra Pradesh is greatly indebted to Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India entrusted the plan formulations for Integrated Tribal Development Project for Nicobar district, besides preparation of development programmes for the three primitive tribal groups namely, Great Andamanese, Onges and Shompen of Andaman and Nicobar Islands during 1983-84. This Draft plan contains a description of the Geo-Ethnic situation of Nicobar Islands and the Nicobarese. It is also gives a critical analysis of previous strategy adapted, programme, implemented, expenditure incurred during the sixth plan period. The research team discussed the various aspects of tribal life and development, especially, social organization, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, communications, education, medical and health. The study reveals that various development programmes held by the Nicobarese in the field of Agriculture, Medical and Health, Electricity, Industries, Women and Child Welfare, Banking etc. Information furnished by Director of Industries shows that no tribal has so far availed the facility of supply of improved tools on subsidy basis nor the State Aid for establishing. The advance training in Handicrafts in Allepy in Kerala was availed by only one tribal and the scheme of marketing assistance through a small Emporium at Car Nicobar also did not so far start. The forestry programmes are mostly concentrated in Little Andaman where a project for cultivation of Red oil palm is under implementation. But the Nicobar Islands are not covered by any special programme. The tribals involvement or direct benefit accruing to the tribals from these operations is almost all. Mostly the work is done by imported labour. For fisheries development during the plan period, schemes such as training of tribals in mechanized fishing, supply of mechanized boats, setting-up of deep freezer, cold storage plant and fish markets. Almost all the programmes suggested by the team are to be started only after giving sufficient training in the relevant work for a period of 3 to 6 months depending on the programme.