Tribal Development in India - Status and Strategies

Abstract

India has the worlds’ second largest tribal population next only to the African continent.  As per the census of 2001, Scheduled Tribes population constitute 84.32 million which is about 8.2 percent of India’s population.  There are 664 tribal communities of which 75 are categorized as primitive Tribal Groups.  The tribal communities speak in about 105 native languages.  It is estimated that the tribals inhabit in about 15% of the geographical area of the country.  A vast majority of the tribal population of the country is concentrated in eight states viz., Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan and West Bengal.The principal goal of tribal development policy is to create sustainable improvement in the quality of life among tribal people.  Much emphasis is given to beneficiary oriented programmes to facilitate increase in per capita income of tribal families.  Attempts are also made to reduce economic disparities, increase education levels and also expand accessibility to health services.  Inspite of all these attempts, tribal people continue to earn their livelihood by practicing traditional professions viz.,  sale of minor forest produce, grazing of livestock, sale of agricultural and household implements, dispensation of herbal medicines, rendition of folk arts, singing devotional songs etc.