Important Tribes of India and PVTGs
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS:
Art 342 (1) states that the president, after consulting the respective governor of the state, by a public notification shall determine which communities can be considered as Scheduled Tribes.
Art 342 (2) states that the parliament has the power to include or exclude any tribe from the list of ‘Scheduled tribes’ in a notification as under Art 342(1).
Art 366(25) States that Scheduled tribes mean such tribal communities or tribal groups as are deemed under article 342 of the constitution to be scheduled tribes.
Article 46 States educational and economic upliftment of Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and other weaker sections.
89th amendment Act, 2003: It divided the erstwhile “National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (NCSC and ST)” into two separate bodies: “National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)” under Article 338 and “National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)” under Art338-a of the Indian Constitution.
5th schedule: Contains provisions regarding control and administration of Scheduled areas and Scheduled Tribes in all states except Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura & Mizoram.
6th schedule: Contains provisions regarding creation of Autonomous District Councils which will provide autonomy to tribal areas and tribal communities in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram. (Art 244 and Art 275 of the constitution)
Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) act of 1989: to prevent offences/ atrocities against the people belonging of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
In 1973, Dhebar Commission created “Primitive Tribal Groups” which were later renamed to “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” in 2006. PVTGS are vulnerable among tribal groups, so more resources are directed towards their development.
“Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” scheme (implemented by Ministry of Tribal Affairs) is for this purpose exclusively. Under this scheme, states are required to create annual plans for their PVTGs based on their assessment.
Characteristics of a PVTG are small population, use of primitive technology, low literacy rate, economic backwardness, absence of written language etc. There are total 705 Scheduled Tribes (8.2% of India’s population) in India, out of which 75 are PVTGs. Odisha has the highest number of PVTGs (13) followed by Andhra Pradesh (12).
‘Bhil’ is the largest tribal group and ‘Gond’ is the second largest. Madhya Pradesh has the largest population of scheduled tribes, while Odisha has the largest number of STs.
State-wise Tribes in India:
Andhra Pradesh: Andh, Goundu, Dabba Manna Sugalis, Dhora, Jatapus, Nakkala, Bhil, Savaras, Rona, Andh, Gadabas, Pardhan, Dhulia, Thoti, Bhaghata, Kammara, Kolam, Kattunayakan Yerukula, Sadhu Gond, Chenchus,,
Arunachal Pradesh: Monpa, Adi, Nyishi, Mishmi, Wancho Taroan, Galong, Singpho, Momba, Abor, Apatanis Tagin, Sherdukpen, Idu.
Assam: Hajong, Miri, Dimasa, Kachari, Chutiya, Karbi, Rabha, Garo Sonwal, Borokachari, Chakma, Khasis, Garos, Gangte, Boro,
Bihar: Asur, Banjara, Gond, Birjia, Chero, Savar, Oraon, Kharwar, Tharu Santhals, Baiga, Santal,
Chhattisgarh: Bhaina, Binjhwar, Halba, Gond, Sawar, Biar, Khond, Halbi, Nagasia, Kawar, Agariya, Bhattra, Mawasi.
Goa: Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda, Siddi,Varli, Gawda.
Gujarat: Bamcha, Bhil, Paradhi, Rathawa, Halpati, Dubla, Patelia, Talavia, Dhodia, Charan, Patelia, Barda, Kokna, Siddi. Naikda, Gamta, Dhanka.
Himachal Pradesh: Khas, Bhot, Swangla, Beta, Gaddis, Gujjars, Pangwala, Lahaulas, Beda Bodh, Lamba.
Jammu and Kashmir: Bakarwal, Balti, Gujjar. Purigpa, Garra, Gaddi, Mon, Changpa, Sippi, Beda.
Jharkhand: Santal, Ho, Bedia, Gonds, Banjara, Mahli, Santhals, Savar, Birhors, Kharia, Kol, Kharwar, Bhumij, Lohra, Mundas, Parhaiya.
Karnataka: Patelia, Naikda, Soligaru. Adiyan, Koli Dhor, Gond, Meda, Hasalaru, Marati Iruliga, Barda, Koraga, Bhil, , Yerava.
Kerala: Arandan, Malai Kurichchan, arayan, Uralis, Kurumbas, Eravallan, Irular, Moplahs, Kanikaran, Adiyan, Muthuvan. Kattunayakan.
Madhya Pradesh: Korku, kharia, Gonds, Sahariya, Katkari, Khond, Pardhan, Kol, Bharia, Mawasi, Birhors, Bhils, Murias, Baigas.
Maharashtra: Bhaina, Bhunjia, Dhodia, Katkari, Khond, Rathawa, Warlis, Dhanka, Halba, Kathodi, Kokna, Koli Mahadev, Pardhi, Thakur.
Manipur: Naga, Kuki, Meitei, Aimol, Angami, Chiru, Maram, Monsang, Paite, Purum, Thadou, Anal, Mao, Tangkhul, Poumai Naga.
Meghalaya: Chakma, Garos, Hajong, Jaintias Khasis, Pawai, Raba, Mikir.
Mizoram: Chakma, Dimasa, Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Pawi, Raba, Synteng, Lushai.
Nagaland: Angami, Garo, Kachari, Kuki, Mikir, Nagas, Sema, Ao, Chakhesang, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Rengma, Sangtam.
Odisha: Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Khond, Matya, Oraons, Rajuar, Santhals, Bathudi, Bathuri, Bhottada, Bhumij, Gond, Juang, Kisan, Kolha, Khayara, Koya, Munda, Paroja, Saora, Shabar, Lodha.
Rajasthan: Meenas(Minas), Kathodi. Nayaka, Naikda, Damaria, Dhanka, Patelia, Sahariya, Bhils.
Sikkim: Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas, Limboo, Tamang.
Tamil Nadu: Kurumans, Adiyan, Malayali, Irular, Kanikar, Kadar, Aranadan, Eravallan, Todas, Kotas.
Telangana: Chenchus.
Tripura: Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal, Chakma, Halam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte, Mag, Munda, Riang,
Uttarakhand: Bhotias, Buksa, Jannsari, Khas, Raji, Tharu.
Uttar Pradesh: Bhotia, Chero , Jaunsari, Agariya, Kharwar, Kol, Raji, Baiga, Parahiya, Gond, Buksa, Saharya.
West Bengal: Chik Kora, Ho, Mal Asur, Parhaiya, Savar, Khariam, Khond, Oraon, Rabha, Baraik, Mahali, Kheria, Bhumij, Santhals, Hajong, Lodha, Bhutia, Kisan, Pahariya,
Andaman and Nicobar: Oraons, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens.
Sources: Press Information Bureau
CensusIndia
Wikipedia
Ministry of tribal affairs.
Date: 19 September 2021