Major Tribes, Tribal Areas & their Problems- 2 | Geography Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Tribal Areas (Tribal belt)

• India's tribal belt refers to the continuous areas where the tribal population of India resides. These tribal communities have remained genetically distinct compared to other population groups in the Indian subcontinent who have intermixed over time. Although they are a small minority in terms of numbers, India's tribal population represents a vast diversity of groups.
• These groups vary in several aspects, such as linguistic traits, ecological settings, physical features, population size, cultural integration, dominant livelihoods, development levels, and social stratification. While tribes possess a unique culture and history, they also share similarities with other marginalized sections of Indian society, including inadequate political representation, economic deprivation, and cultural discrimination.
• Despite these challenges, the richness of tribal cultures and knowledge systems should be appreciated, as there is much to learn from them. The term 'tribe' encompasses social and cultural dimensions, while the Scheduled Tribe category has political and administrative implications.
• The majority of the Scheduled Tribe population is concentrated in the eastern, central, and western regions of India, spanning nine states: Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. Around 12% of the tribal population lives in the northeastern region, 5% in the southern region, and 3% in the northern states.

Distribution of Tribes

• The Scheduled Tribes (STs) are recognized in 30 States and Union Territories (UTs) in India, with a total of 705 distinct ethnic groups. According to the 2011 census, the tribal population in the country is around 104.3 million, making up 8.6% of India's total population. The majority of the tribal population, 89.97%, resides in rural areas, while the remaining 10.03% live in urban areas. The population growth of STs between the 2001 and 2011 censuses was 23.66%, compared to the 17.69% growth of the overall population.
• The sex ratio for the entire population is 940 females per 1000 males, whereas the ratio for Scheduled Tribes is 990 females per 1000 males. STs predominantly inhabit two specific geographical areas: Central India and the North-Eastern region. Over half of the ST population is concentrated in Central India, specifically in the states of Madhya Pradesh (14.69%), Chhattisgarh (7.5%), Jharkhand (8.29%), Andhra Pradesh (5.7%), Maharashtra (10.08%), Odisha (9.2%), Gujarat (8.55%), and Rajasthan (8.86%).
• The other main area where STs reside is the North-Eastern region, which includes Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. More than two-thirds of the tribal population in India is concentrated in just seven states: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
• There are no ST populations in three states (Delhi NCR, Punjab, and Haryana) and two UTs (Puducherry and Chandigarh) as no tribes are officially recognized in these regions.

Scheduled Areas (Fifth Schedule)

• Scheduled Areas (under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution) is “such areas as the President may by order declare to be Scheduled Areas”.
• At present, 10 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana have Fifth Schedule Areas.

Sixth Schedule

• The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution aims to protect and provide autonomy to tribal populations. This is achieved through the establishment of autonomous development councils, which are granted the authority to create laws pertaining to land, public health, agriculture, and other relevant areas. The Sixth Schedule is specifically applicable to certain tribal regions within the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
• Under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule, Autonomous District and Regional Councils can be created, granting them a wide range of legislative, executive, and judicial powers. As a result, these autonomous bodies have significant control over their respective regions. Currently, there are 10 such councils in existence across the four states mentioned above.
• These special provisions for the protection and autonomy of tribal communities are enshrined in Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Indian Constitution.

Problems of tribal People

Tribal people, especially in India, generally face economic and educational challenges. While the situation varies across regions, tribes in the northeast have higher levels of political engagement, literacy, and living standards compared to their counterparts in other areas. However, tribal populations have often been alienated from their lands, with landlords and moneylenders from the plains gradually replacing them as landowners.

A survey conducted by B. K. Roy Burman (1972) reveals that tribal communities are among the most disadvantaged due to low literacy rates and underdeveloped economies. Although tribes differ in terms of social, political, economic, and ecological backgrounds, there are some common issues they face, including:

• Poverty and exploitation
• Economic and technological underdevelopment
• Socio-cultural disadvantages
• Challenges in assimilating with non-tribal populations

S.M. Dube's classification of Indian tribes (1982) provides a clearer understanding of the various challenges faced by tribal communities in India. According to Dube, tribes can be categorized into the following groups:

• Aboriginals living in isolation
• Tribal groups that interact with neighboring non-tribal societies while maintaining their distinct identity
• Tribes living in villages alongside other caste, sect, and religious groups, while preserving their unique identity
• Tribes that have been relegated to the status of untouchables
• Tribes that enjoy high social, economic, and political status

This classification is based on the extent of cultural contact between tribal and non-tribal populations. Despite the differences among tribes, it is evident that they face significant challenges in terms of economic, educational, and social development.

1. Social Problems
High Incidence of Illiteracy (Lack of Education) & Gender Gap

• According to the 1991 Census, nearly 70 percent of the tribals are illiterates. Although it cannot be denied that education can act as the instrument for betterment of the tribals ensuring greater participation for them in the development process, still there are certain factors which inhibit the tribals from taking to education.
• These factors include tribal superstitions and prejudices, extreme poverty, nomadic lifestyle of certain tribes, lack of interest in alien subjects taught through an alien language and a lack of suitable teachers and other facilities in the tribal areas.
• The progress over the years on the literacy front may be seen from the following:
  

Mortality Rates

• The community also has registered the highest child mortality and infant mortality rates compared to other social groups.

Gender Issues

• The deterioration of the natural environment, particularly due to deforestation and the depletion of resources, has affected women's status. 
• The introduction of mining, industrialization, and commercialization in tribal regions has led to tribal men and women being subjected to the harsh realities of the market economy. 
• This has resulted in the rise of consumerism and the objectification of women.

Problems of Assimilation with the Non-tribal Population

• The tribal population in India has been significantly influenced by the dominant cultural currents of the country. This has led to the creation of new divisions among tribal communities due to changes in their cultural practices. The roots of stratification within Indian tribal society can be traced back to British policies, the uneven impact of economic development, and varying degrees of cultural interaction with the broader Indian society. While modernization and industrialization have seemingly narrowed the gap between tribal and non-tribal populations, they have also given rise to new challenges.
• Many tribal people who have been displaced from their lands have not been integrated into the new systems. As a result, they are experiencing a novel form of impoverishment without the traditional support structures they once relied on.

Erosion of Identity

• Increasingly, the traditional institutions and laws of tribals are coming into conflict with modern institutions which create apprehensions among the tribals about preserving their identity. Extinction of tribal dialects and languages is another cause of concern as it indicates an erosion of tribal identity in certain areas.

Drug Addiction

• Alcohol consumption is a common social ritual among tribal communities, with about 51% of Scheduled Tribe men in India consuming some form of alcohol. This percentage is significantly higher than the prevalence of alcohol consumption among non-Scheduled Tribe men, which is around 30%. As a result, this alcohol consumption pattern negatively impacts the health of Scheduled Tribe men.
• The prevalence of alcohol consumption among Scheduled Tribes is particularly high in eastern states such as Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, and Jharkhand, where it ranges from 67% to 70%. However, there are a few exceptions, such as Sikkim, Manipur, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Goa, where a higher percentage of urban Scheduled Tribe men consume alcohol compared to their rural counterparts.

2. Economic Problems
Loss of Control over Natural Resources

• Prior to British colonization, indigenous tribes in India had complete control and ownership over their natural resources, such as land, forests, wildlife, water, soil, and fish. However, with the arrival of the British and the subsequent industrialization of India, these tribal areas were exposed to external influences, and state control replaced the tribal management of resources. This marked the beginning of ongoing hardships for the indigenous tribes.
• Following India's independence, the push for development and progress led to even greater pressure on land and forest resources. Consequently, tribal communities experienced a loss of ownership rights over their land due to factors such as ongoing debt, exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, contractors, and corrupt officials. Additionally, the introduction of protected forests and national forests further alienated tribes from their cultural roots and left them without a stable means of income and livelihood.

Poverty and Exploitation

• Poverty, in its absolute form, refers to the inability to afford basic human necessities such as clean water, food, healthcare, clothing, and shelter. Relative poverty, on the other hand, is defined by having fewer resources or a lower income compared to others within a society, country, or on a global scale.
• In India, poverty is generally measured using the Below Poverty Line (BPL) index in rural regions. This economic benchmark and threshold are used by the Indian government to identify individuals and households in need of assistance and support. The criteria for determining BPL status vary between states and within states themselves.
• During the tenth five-year plan (2002-2007), the BPL for rural areas was established based on the degree of deprivation concerning 13 parameters, each with a score ranging from 0 to 4. These parameters included landholding, housing type, clothing, food security, sanitation, consumer durables, literacy status, labor force, means of livelihood, children's status, indebtedness, reasons for migration, and more.

Land Alienation

Displacement and Rehabilitation

• Following independence, the emphasis of development shifted towards heavy industries and core sectors. Consequently, massive steel plants, power projects, and large dams were constructed, predominantly in tribal-inhabited areas. This led to an increase in mining activities in these regions. The government's acquisition of tribal land for these projects resulted in the large-scale displacement of the tribal population, with the Chhotanagpur region, Orissa, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh being the most affected.
• The government provided cash compensation, but it was often squandered on frivolous expenses. No resettlement was offered to the displaced tribal populations within the industrial areas, forcing them to live in slums on the outskirts or migrate to nearby states and work as unskilled laborers in impoverished conditions. The migration of these tribal communities to urban areas has led to psychological issues, as they struggle to adapt to urban lifestyles and values.

Lack of Awareness about Government Schemes

• The Indian government has implemented various special provisions and constitutional rights aimed at the social, economic, and educational development of scheduled tribes. Some of these tribal welfare schemes include pre-metric and post-metric scholarships for students, hostels in tribal-dominated areas, the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme, Ashram schools, vocational training, Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana, Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme, NSTFDC self-employment schemes, 
• Model Residential Schools, Sikshasshree for day scholars, and an old age pension scheme for BPL families with members aged 60 years or above. Additionally, there are other general social and economic development schemes in place.
• However, field surveys reveal that the majority of tribal people remain poor and are unable to access benefits such as BPL ration cards and job cards for 100-day work programs. Most of them are unaware of these opportunities due to their illiteracy and lack of awareness. As a result, they are unable to take advantage of the government's assistance. 
• Furthermore, government officials and supporting staff often mistreat these tribal individuals. More than 70% of tribal households do not have access to banking facilities, largely due to not having a bank account. 
• In summary, although various welfare schemes are in place for the tribal population in India, a lack of awareness and illiteracy prevent many from accessing these benefits.

Subsistence Economy

• A subsistence economy is a type of tribal economy that primarily focuses on meeting basic needs through simple means, such as hunting, fishing, gathering, or a combination of these activities along with shifting cultivation. Even tribes that utilize plowing for agriculture may still engage in hunting and gathering to supplement their resources. This type of economy is characterized by basic technology, minimal division of labor, small production units, and no investment in capital.
• The main challenge faced by a subsistence economy is its vulnerability to failure, as it completely relies on nature for resources. If a subsistence system can no longer fulfill the needs of its members due to factors like crop failures or resource depletion, it becomes difficult to acquire resources from other sources. This reliance on nature means that those living within a subsistence economy may struggle to achieve a comfortable livelihood, as profits and earnings are limited.

Unemployment

Health and Nutrition

• During colonial rule, the health and nutrition of tribal people were unsatisfactory. The Dooars Labour Act was passed in 1912 to address issues related to sanitation and public health, due to the high rates of illness, absenteeism, and death among workers from diseases such as malaria and blackwater fever. However, the act only focused on government inspection and did not provide modern medical facilities for the laborers.
• Even after gaining independence, the tribal people continued to lack access to proper healthcare facilities and treatment. In the absence of qualified doctors, they relied on traditional healers such as Ojhas or Kabirajs, as well as charlatans and quacks. This often led to incorrect treatment and, in some cases, the death of patients. To improve the health and nutrition of the tribal population, it is essential to provide them with access to modern medical facilities and qualified healthcare professionals.

3. Environmental Problems

Man-Animal conflicts

• Conflicts between humans and animals have significantly increased in recent years due to various factors such as population growth, changes in land use, development activities, habitat degradation and fragmentation, as well as the rise of ecotourism and the growing wildlife population resulting from conservation efforts. Previously, wild animals were more commonly found in dense forests, but as these have become thinner, conflicts have escalated.
• The expanding human population and its increasing demands for land and biological resources have greatly impacted the natural landscape. Habitat fragmentation has occurred primarily due to infrastructure development, road expansion, railway line upgrades, river management projects involving large-scale embankment construction, and the deposition of dolomite in rivers along the foothills bordering Bhutan. Additionally, the pollution from the rivers flowing from the Bhutan hills has contributed to this issue.
• Furthermore, tea plantations have significantly affected surrounding grasslands, and the industry has led to a large number of unplanned human settlements. As a result, appreciation for wildlife has decreased, and negative attitudes toward these animals have grown, which can have severe consequences for the natural balance and coexistence between humans and animals. All of these factors have contributed to the heightened level of conflict between humans and animals.

Physical Constraints

• Traditionally, tribal people are interested to live in remote places of jungles and mountains.
• Transportation and way of communication are very hard in a civilized society.
• Climate is not healthy mainly during the rainy season in many tea garden areas.

Conclusion

The tribal communities in Dooars have been facing numerous challenges since the colonial period, which continue to persist today. These communities have long been neglected and suppressed, leading to a growing sense of discontent and grievances. They have experienced the loss of their lands, ethnicity, cultural heritage, and the freedom to express their identity for centuries. Economic hardship, exploitation, and deprivation constantly plague the tribal communities. Consequently, many of them migrate to the western provinces of the country to seek better opportunities and higher income. However, they often fall victim to deception and exploitation by middlemen and more affluent individuals. This cycle of injustice continues, with no visible signs of improvement. Political leaders from various parties have historically used tribal communities as vote banks, exploiting their marginalized status for political gain. Even those tribal political leaders who claim to represent their communities often fail to make a significant impact on the lives of tea garden workers. These workers face extremely difficult circumstances, particularly when the tea gardens close for extended periods, ranging from several months to years. It is impossible to fully convey the extent of the suffering faced by these communities in a single piece of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Major Tribes, Tribal Areas & their Problems

What is the tribal belt in India?

The tribal belt in India refers to the continuous areas where the tribal population of India resides. These tribal communities have remained genetically distinct compared to other population groups in the Indian subcontinent who have intermixed over time. The majority of the Scheduled Tribe population is concentrated in the eastern, central, and western regions of India.

What are the Scheduled Areas and the Sixth Schedule in India?

Scheduled Areas (under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution) refers to areas that the President may declare as Scheduled Areas in 10 states of India. The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution aims to protect and provide autonomy to tribal populations through the establishment of autonomous development councils, which are granted the authority to create laws pertaining to land, public health, agriculture, and other relevant areas. The Sixth Schedule is specifically applicable to certain tribal regions within the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

What are the common challenges faced by the tribal population in India?

Some common challenges faced by tribal communities in India include poverty and exploitation, economic and technological underdevelopment, socio-cultural disadvantages, challenges in assimilating with non-tribal populations, and erosion of identity.

How have government policies impacted the tribal population in India?

While the Indian government has implemented various special provisions and constitutional rights aimed at the social, economic, and educational development of scheduled tribes, a lack of awareness and illiteracy often prevent many from accessing these benefits. Additionally, government officials and supporting staff may mistreat tribal individuals, further hindering their access to assistance and support.

What are the environmental problems faced by the tribal population in India?

Environmental problems faced by the tribal population in India include man-animal conflicts, habitat degradation and fragmentation due to development activities, and pollution from rivers flowing from the Bhutan hills. These issues have led to negative attitudes toward wildlife and have disrupted the natural balance and coexistence between humans and animals.