The Tribal Development Report 2022 recently released by the Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation (BRLF) provides valuable insight into the condition of tribal communities in India. The BRLF, an independent society established in 2013 under the Union Ministry of Rural Development, partnered with central and state governments to create this unprecedented report.
Key Findings of the Tribal Development Report 2022
India’s tribal population, which constitutes 8.6% of the total population as per the 2011 Census, has continued to lag on development parameters. A significant portion of this population, approximately 80%, reside in Central India. Of the 257 Scheduled Tribe districts, 230 (90%) are either forested, hilly, or dry and accommodate 80 % of India’s tribal populace.
However, these communities suffer from a lack of basic amenities such as sanitation, education, nutrition, access to drinking water and education, positioning them as the most deprived section of Indian society. Furthermore, tribal regions are also burdened by disturbances and conflicts, posing additional challenges to the implementation of government welfare schemes and policies.
The report highlighted another crucial point: indigenous communities in India have been pushed into the harshest ecological regions like hills, forests, and dry lands. This displacement from fertile river basins and alluvial plains began in earnest after the introduction of the Forest Conservation Act in 1980.
Conflict between Environmental Protection and Tribal Needs
Post-1980, the relationship between environmental protectionism and local tribal communities began to strain. Only in 1988, through the National Forest Policy, were the domestic requirements of local people explicitly acknowledged for the first time. While the policy aimed to safeguard customary rights and encourage tribal participation in forest protection, the ground reality shows a distinct gap between intent and implementation.
Understanding Tribal Societies for Effective Policy Making
The report suggests that for policy-making to be effective, it is crucial to understand the unique characteristics of tribal communities. Many tribes prefer isolation and may resist outreach from the outside world. Such traits need to be taken into account while designing welfare schemes for tribal upliftment.
Government Initiatives for Tribal Development
Several initiatives have been launched by the government to improve conditions for tribal communities. These include Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools, the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana.
Tribal Land Rights and Constitutional Provisions
There have been queries about the constitutional provision under which the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining can be declared null and void. This falls under the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, wherein land in Scheduled Areas is protected. According to this, the Governor has the power to declare any Act of Parliament or the state legislature inapplicable to a Scheduled Area, which could potentially invalidate a land transfer for mining.
Sex Ratio among Tribal Communities
Interestingly, data shows that the sex ratio among tribal communities in India is more favorable towards women as compared to Scheduled Castes. The reasons behind this anomaly can be traced back to the distinctive societal structure and cultural norms prevalent among tribal communities.
This comprehensive report by BRLF provides a stark look at the challenges faced by India’s tribal communities, and underscores the urgent need for targeted, effective policy intervention.
