Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of Odisha

Abstract

Among 62 Scheduled Tribes of Odisha spread across the length and breadth of the State there are 13 Ethno-Culturally-Vulnerable tribal groups first identified as Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) during the 5th Five Year Plan period and later re-designated as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). This is the largest number in the entire country. Each such group constitutes a culturally homogeneous segment of the tribal population in the State. The PVTGs live in their remote mountainous habitats in a state of relative isolation - that has helped them to preserve their cultural identities manifested in their diverse languages, unique style of personal adornments, subsistence activities, magico-religious beliefs and practices, social organization, and colourful folk traditions of arts, crafts, songs, dance, and music. On the other side, their pace of change has remained slower and their level of development, lower than the rest of their brethren belonging to other tribal communities. This situation calls for special attention to their development. Since the 5th Plan with the implementation of Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) approach, 13 PVTGs have been identified in different interior pockets in the State of Odisha during different Plan periods and 17 Micro Projects have been functioning in these areas to bring about their all-round development. Recently Government of Odisha conducted a detailed baseline survey to identify the cluster of villages inhabited by PVTGs which are not part of Micro Projects and after the exercise, have created three more Micro Projects thereby increasing the number of Micro Projects to 20. Now various programmes and schemes mainly addressed to deliver packages of services consistent with their cultural, social, educational, and occupational background with a view to facilitate and gradually align themselves with the mainstream of society and enhance their social and economic status.