Spread of Covid Infection in Vulnerable Tribal Groups

• 15 May 2021

Why in News

Many members of eight different Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) got infected in the second wave of Covid-19 in Odisha.

• The infected PVTGs include the Bonda tribe of Malkangiri hills and Dongaria Kondh tribe of Niyamgiri hills.

Key Points

• Tribal Groups in Odisha:
  
  • According to the 2011 Census, Odisha’s share of the country’s total tribal population was 9%.
  • The Tribals constitute 22.85% of the State's population.
  • In terms of numbers of its tribal population, Odisha occupies the third position in India.
  • Of the 62 tribal groups residing in Odisha, 13 are recognised as PVTGs.
    
    • The 13 PVTGs in Odisha are: Bonda, Birhor, Chuktia Bhunjia, Didayi, Dungaria Kandha, Hill Kharia, Juang, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankirdia, Paudi Bhuyan and Saora.
  • Tribal populations are found in the entire seven districts of Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada, and in parts of 6 other districts.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
  
  • Creation of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs): In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, which are less developed among the tribal groups.
  • In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs.
    
    • In 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups. In 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.
    • Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha.
  • Characteristics of PVTGs: The Government classifies PVTGs on their:
    
    • Relative physical isolation,
    • Stagnant or declining population,
    • Low levels of literacy,
    • Absence of written language,
    • Pre-agricultural stage of economy, such as hunting, food gathering, shifting cultivation and terrace cultivation.
  • Schemes for PVTGs: 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.
    
    • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has implemented the scheme of “Development of PVTGs” which covers 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) for their comprehensive socio-economic development.
      
      • Under the scheme, State Governments submit Conservation-cum-Development (CCD) plans on the basis of their requirement.
      • 100% grants-in-aid are made available to States as per the provisions of the scheme.

Source: TH