Question

Who are the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) in India? Discuss the various issues faced by these groups. What are the steps the government has taken to alleviate the condition of PVTGs?

Answer 1

In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who are less developed among the tribal groups. In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

PVTGs have some basic characteristics -they are mostly homogenous, with a small population, relatively physically isolated, social institutes cast in a simple mould, absence of written language, relatively simple technology and a slower rate of change etc.

There are 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) notified as on date in the country.

The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are as under:
(i) A pre-agriculture level of technology;
(ii) A stagnant or declining population;
(iii) Extremely low literacy; and
(iv) A subsistence level of economy.

Issues faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):

1. Unequal treatment
In some cases, a PVTG receives benefits only in a few blocks in a district, while the same group is deprived in adjacent blocks. The reason is that micro-projects extend benefits only within their jurisdiction. For example, the LanjiaSaora are recognized as a PVTG across Odisha but the micro-projects are established only in two blocks, and the benefits are catered to by micro-projects in these blocks only, while the rest of the LanjiaSaora are treated among the Scheduled Tribes (STs).

2. Huge variation in Population
There is a huge variation in the number of PVTGs ranging from a few individuals as in case of Great Andamanese, the Onge and Sentinelese and about a little more than a thousand people as in the case of Toda of Nilgiris. Although PVTGs are slowly witnessing decadal increase in their population, quite a few still face stagnation such as the Birhor in central India. Some are declining like the Onge and Andamanese.

3. Literacy rate:
Literacy rate among the PVTGs has gone up significantly over the past. From a single digit literacy rate, the figures have increased to 30 to 40 % in many of the PVTGs. However, as is the case with entire India, female literacy rate is still considerably lower compared to male counterparts.

4. Livelihoods:
PVTGs depend on various livelihoods such as food gathering, Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), hunting, livestock rearing, shifting cultivation and artisan works. Most of their livelihoods depend on the forest. The forest is their life and livelihood. They collect various NTFP items such as honey, gum, amla, bamboo, shrubs, fuel wood, dry leaves, nuts, sprouts, wax, medical plants, roots and tubes. Most of the NTFP items they gather are for consumption and they sell the remaining to middle men. But due to the shrinking forests, environmental changes and new forest conservation policies, their NTFP collection is getting hampered. Because of the lack of awareness about the value of NTFP produce, PVTGs have been exploited by the middle men.

5. Health conditions:
Health is a prerequisite for human development and it is an essential component in well-being of humankind. Health problems of any community are influenced by different factors such as social, economic and political factors. The health status of PVTGs is in an awful condition because of multiple factors like poverty, illiteracy, lack of safe drinking water, bad sanitary conditions, difficult terrain, malnutrition, poor maternal and child health services, unavailability of health and nutritional services, superstition and deforestation. The diseases like anemia, upper respiratory problems, malaria; gastrointestinal disorders like acute diarrhea, Intestinal protozoan; micronutrient deficiency and skin infection diseases are common among PVTGs. Many of these diseases can be prevented by providing nutritious food, timely medical facilities and health awareness. The condition of education is also very poor, with an average literacy rate of 10% to 44% in PVTGs.

6. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
(PVTGs) are more vulnerable among the tribal groups. Due to this factor, more developed and assertive tribal groups take a major chunk of the tribal development funds, because of which PVTGs need more funds directed for their development.

Steps taken by government:

1. The Scheme for Development of Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), came into effect from April 1,2008. The Scheme defines PVTGs as the most vulnerable among the Scheduled Tribes and the Scheme therefore seeks to priorities their protection and development. It identifies 75 PVTGs. The Scheme seeks to adopt a holistic approach to the socio-economic development of PVTGs and gives state governments flexibility in planning initiatives that are geared towards the specific socio-cultural imperatives of the specific groups at hand.

2. Activities supported under the scheme include housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, cattle development, construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy, social security, etc. Funds are made available only for activities essential for the survival, protection and development of PVTGs and not already funded by any other Scheme of the central/state governments. Each state and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ administration, is required to prepare a long term Conservation-cum-Development (CCD) plan, valid for a period of five years for each PVTG within its territory, outlining the initiatives it will undertake, financial planning for the same and the agencies charged with the responsibility of undertaking the same. The CCD Plan is approved by an Expert Committee, appointed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The Scheme is funded entirely by the Central government.

3. Scheme of “Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)”
(a) Under the scheme, Conservation-cum- Development (CCD)/Annual Plans are to be prepared by each State/UT for their PVTGs based on their needs assessment, which are then appraised and approved by the Project Appraisal Committee of the Ministry. Activities for development of PVTGs are undertaken in Sectors of Education, Health, Livelihood and Skill Development, Agricultural Development, Housing Habitat, Conservation of Culture etc.

4. Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime: RAP regime was notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963.
(b) Under it, foreign nationals are not normally allowed to visit protected or restricted area unless Government is satisfied that there are extraordinary reasons to justify their visit.

Way Forward:

• Along with the Census, a proper survey should be conducted to comprehensively capture the data on PVTGs population enumeration, health status, nutritional level, education, vulnerabilities etc. This would help implement welfare measures better.
• Of the 75 PVTGs, those groups whose population is declining should be clearly identified and survival strategy should be devised.
• PVTGs threatened with relocation of wildlife areas or development projects should be identified and actionable strategies should be devised to prevent the same.
• It is important to recognise the innate connection between PVTGs and their lands and habitats. Therefore, a rights-based approach for the development of PVTGs should be adopted.