India has second largest tribal population in the world. According to 2011 census, Tribals account for 8.9% of the total population in India. There are around 75 PVTG’s living in around 22,544 villages with a population of around 28 Lakhs. These tribal communities have their own unique traditions and culture and lifestyles. However, these tribal communities were largely ignored and left to fend off oneself for the last 75 years!

Thankfully, post 2014, Prime Minister Modi emphasised and worked towards the preservation and rejuvenation of tribal communities. The government took various measures and initiatives to foster cultural resurgence and to promote tribal customs etc. Infact, PM Modi became the first Prime Minister to visit Ulihatu Village, the birthplace of Birsa Munda on 15th November 2023.

A Closer Look..

Recently, Prime Minister Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) with a budget of around Rs 24,000 crore. This mission aims to provide Tribals with basic facilities like clean drinking water, connectivity, sanitation, improved health and education. It also aims to provide safe housing and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the overall development of PVTGs. Over 9000 camps were organised in 120 Tribal dominated districts in first 75 days of launch of PM-JANMAN Mission. More than 13 lakh tribals are enrolled under its various schemes. Apart from this, the government has taken several initiatives like-

Tribal Rights-

To empower tribals, Parliament had enacted the FRA Act in 2006. The act basically recognises and vests forest rights to tribals who have been residing in forest areas for generations. Under this Act, up to May 2014, 23,578 community rights were given whereas 86,621 community rights were given from 2014- June 2023.

Then the total area of land distributed under FRA Act up to May 2014 was 55.30 lakh acres. Under Modi government this increased to 122.60 Lakh acres during 2014 to June 2023. This being almost double the figure during the period till May 2014. So far, a total of 181 Lakh acres of forest land has been distributed across the country (2023-24). In other words it is 3 times of 55 Lakh (2013-2014).

Economic Empowerment-

The government has taken several initiatives like Aadi Mahotsav and Van Dhan Yojana to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the tribal communities. So far, there have been around 37 Aadi Mahotsav’s which have resulted in sale of around 239 crore tribal products.

Moreover, budgetary allocation to Ministry of Tribal Affairs has increased from Rs. 4295.94 in 2013-14 to Rs. 12461.88 in 2023-24 that is, an increase of 190%.

Apart from this, marketing support for tribal products is being provided through Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission. Under this mission, the total number of Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) sanctioned are 3958 while an amount of Rs. 398.49 crore has been disbursed. Around 1,83,412 tribal people are associated with this scheme and are benefitting.

Tribal Education-

Apart from showcasing Tribal products and enhancing their livelihood opportunities. The government has been working to ensure their empowerment via education. The government established of Eklavya Model Residential School scheme which aims to ensure quality education in remote areas of the country.

The budgetary allocation under this scheme reached Rs. 5943 crores in last 10 years with a 21 times increase. Over 1,32,275 tribal students were enrolled in 402 functioning schools as of 2023-24 vis-à-vis 34,365 students in 2013-14. Over 40,000 teachers are to be recruited over the next 3 years, out of which 10,000 have already been recruited. Moreover, in the last 10 years, over 30 Lakh tribal students received various scholarships under the Ministry. In last 10 years scholarship worth Rs. 18000 crore has been distributed so far.

Other Initiatives-

• The government has worked to ensure complete eradication of sickle cell disease. More than 1 crore Tribals have already been screened under the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. The target for next three years is to screen 7 crore tribals in areas having high incidence of the disease. Schemes were initiated under mission Indradhanush to ensure full immunisation and initiatives like Nikshay Mitra have been taken to provide timely diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis.
• Then over 148 lakh toilets were built under Swachh Bharat Mission and 2.55 lakh Anganwadis established in tribal dominated areas, in the last decade.
• Over Rs. 2216 crore have been released for more than 14,000 approved rural development schemes under PM Aadi Adarsh Gram Yojana in last 3 years.
• In last 10 years, over 200 NGOs are working in Tribal Health, Education and Livelihood area received over Rs. 900 crores under over 250 welfare schemes.
• Bhasha Sangam initiative, features over 100 tribal languages on digital platforms, fostering greater recognition and appreciation of tribal linguistic heritage.

Last But Not The Least,

It is for the first time that steps are being taken to preserve and rejuvenate tribal language, culture and their medical practices. Post independence the tribals were largely ignored and the unique tribal practices became endangered due to lack of political will. Post 2014, steps are being taken to ensure proper documentation of all the endangered tribal practices, languages and rituals such as Ayurveda and Sowa-Rigpa. Under Tribal Cultural Heritage Revival Program a repository of knowledge is being created to preserve and study valuable tribal traditions. So far over 300 conservation centers have been set up.

From Tribal village tourism scheme to inviting queen of millets Raimati Ghuria at G20 to appointing Droupadi Murmu as the first Adivasi President of India. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is truly reclaiming its roots and indigenous identity.

For story of Bharat is the story of its indigenous people and Vikas means inclusive development!