Perspective Plan For Development of Chenchus

Abstract

Chenchus are one of the most primitive tribal groups of Andhra Pradesh are mainly at the food gathering and hunting stage of economy. In the V Five Year Plan, special attention is being paid to the primitive tribal groups in India who are facing problem of survival. In order to promote accelerated development of the Chenchus who are at pre-agricultural lelvel of technology, this plan is prepared to indicate advance action necessary to create the proper economic base for perspective development of the Chenchus. The Chenchus villages situated in Nallamalai region of Kurnool and Prakasam districts were treatas as R.F Villages and they were under the control of Forest Department. The community development programmes and Panchayat Raj Institutions were not extended to these forest villages. In this connection basic data on all development activities was not available among the Chenchus. The identified project area covers 128 Chenchu settlements of which 25 are in Scheduled area and 86 settlements are in non-scheduled areas. The report discussed about the flora and fauna of the area and settlement patterns, Checnchu Dwellings, economy of the Chenchus. The report also elicited of criminal propensities of Chenchus. The report an attempt is made to give an account of the efforts so far made for the development of Chenchus during the planning era. Chenchus are the most primitive of all the Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh, eking out a preorious livelihood from the forest. Realizing this low level of their economic development and the need for bringing then on par with advanced sections of the society, a special programme is being evolved for areas of Chenchu concentration under special programmes for primitive and small tribes. The programme envisages developing to their economic level by laying stress on Animal husbandry, Forestry, Agriculture and Cottage Industries which can be readily adopted by primitive Chenchus are they are improvements upon traditional ways of livelihood. The report also encompasses on health, education, Protective Legislation and administration in the area.