WRITE UP ON PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TRIBAL GROUP (PVTG)

1. BACKGROUND:
Tribes are defined as the homogeneous unit with common characteristics – Territory, Language
and Ancestry who were believed to be the earlier settler in our country (Adivasi).
The “Scheduled Tribes” are the tribes or tribal community or parts of or group within as deemed
under the Article 342 of the India constitution
2. DEFINATION:
The communities which are less developed and most vulnerable among the tribal groups are
separated by Dhebar Commission on 1973 as “Primitive Tribal Group (PTGs)” and declared 23 such
groups. In 1975 Government has declared 52 PTGs out of 705 Scheduled tribes. In 2006 the
Government of India Renamed The “PTGs” as “PVTGs”.
3. CHARACTERISTICS:
 Mostly Homogeneous
 Small in population
 Relatively physically isolated
 Absence of written language
 Relatively simple technology
 Slower rate of change

4. POPULATION:
The tribal community lives in a scattered manner covering about 15% of the geographical area of
our country – Forest , plains , hills , and other areas with very scanty of population.
There are about 8.6% of tribal of the total population all over India. Among the 75 PVTGs the
highest number is found in Odisha.
There was around 27, 68,322 (Approx.) population of PVTGs. The sahariyas group has the highest
population (450217), while the Sentineled has very small population ( 39), the remaining groups
are 1000 or small population.
The number of PVTGs population are decreasing considerably.

5. DISTRIBUTION:
SCs are broadly found in 2 distinct geographical areas - central India and the North eastern Area.
Mostly half of the STs Population is found in Madhya Pradesh (14.69%), Chhattisgarh (7.5 5),
Jharkhand (8.29 %), Andhra Pradesh (5.7 %), Maharashtra (10.08 %), Odisha (9.2 %), Gujarat
(8.55 %) and Rajasthan (8.86 %). Other North–East State of ST inhabitation is Assam, Nagaland,
Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Actually 2/3 of ST
population is found only in 7 states of India – Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Rajasthan and Jharkhand. States such as Delhi NCR, Punjab and Haryana Pondicherry and
Chandigarh having no ST population is there.

6. LIVELIHOOD:
 Food Gathering
 Livestock Rearing
 Hunting
 Shifting cultivation
 NTFP
 Artisan work, are all the various livelihoods of PVTGs.

But due to shrinkage of forest area and some environmental changes and shortage of NTFP
their smooth livelihoods are getting hampered. Unfortunately the various NTFP are being
exploited by the middle man or brokers. So they have to lead a measurable life
7. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES:
Socio economic development of PVTGs and flexible planning initiative can boost up the present
pathetic condition of PVTGs. Some supportive measures under the government scheme are:
 Land distribution & Land Development
 Housing
 Improvement of transport and communications
 Use of Non-conventional source of energy
 Social security
 Adequate Food, Can recover the poor life style of PVTGs. CCD (Conservative cum
Development Plan) plan approved by the ministry of tribal affairs should be executed
properly. Different NGOs, Voluntarily organizations’ should have to take initiatives in all
respect for the sustainable development of PVTGs as well.
8. CONCLUTION
Only Government initiative is not enough for the sustainable development of PVTGs .Responsible
citizens should also have to come forward for the overall upliftment of life standard of PVTGs.