14-Dec-2022: Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements a dedicated Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) “Scheme of Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” aimed at planning for the socio-economic development of the PVTGs

There are 75 groups of most vulnerable sections amongst the tribals who are classified as the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) spread over 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. These groups are eligible for all the development and welfare schemes that are available to all citizens of India. They are also eligible for the STC of the Central and State Governments, as well as the schemes implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Tribal Welfare Departments of the State Governments.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements a dedicated Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) “Scheme of Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” which, inter-alia, aims at planning for the socio-economic development of the PVTGs tribal communities in a comprehensive manner while retaining their culture and heritage by adopting habitat development approach to fill in the critical gaps in development. Under this scheme, funds are released as a measure of gap filling interventions in accordance with the Conservation-Cum-Development (CCD) Plans prepared by the State Governments in diverse sectors i.e. education, housing, livelihood, drinking water, agricultural development, roads, health, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, conservation of culture and traditional practices, etc. The projects/activities taken up under this scheme are demand driven in nature.

Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is also implementing a scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribes (ST) students including PVTG students (Class 6th to 12th) in remote areas to enable them to access the best opportunities in education and to bring them at par with the general population. As on date, 688 schools have been sanctioned by the Ministry, out of which 392 are reported to be functional. As per provision. 5% seat in each of the EMRSs is reserved for PVTG students only.

25 seats out of total 750 seats have been reserved for the PVTGs under scholarship scheme for Fellowship for pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. 03 seats out of 20 seats are reserved for PVTGs in National Overseas Scholarship to pursue Post Graduation, Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral study abroad. The highest number of communities categorized as PVTGs in the country is found in Odisha (13 communities).

2-Dec-2019: Primitive Tribals in Hilly/Forest Areas

There are certain tribal communities who have declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology and are economically backward. These groups are among the most vulnerable section of our society as they are few in numbers, have not attained any significant level of social and economic development and generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support. 75 such groups have been identified and categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the scheme of “Development of PVTGs” which covers these 75 PVTGs for the activities like education, housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry, construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs. Under the scheme, State Governments submits Conservation-cum-Development (CCD) Plans on the basis of their requirement. 100% grants-in-aid are made available to States as per the provisions of the scheme. The monitoring mechanism put in place is as detailed below:-

1. Utilization Certificates are insisted upon as a pre-requisite for further release of funds as per the norms of GFR;
2. Progress reports regarding the status of implementation of schemes is obtained;
3. Officers while visiting States/UTs also ascertain the progress of implementation of various schemes/ programmes of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs;
4. Meetings/ Conferences are convened at the Central level with State officials for ensuring timely submission of proposals, speeding up of implementation of the schemes/ programmes, and reviewing the physical and financial progress;
5. The physical progress of works sanctioned under the schemes including "Development of PVTGs” is monitored through online system of Ministry of Tribal Affairs - http://stcmis.gov.in/smis wherein real time data has to be uploaded by the State Government.

The details of the funds released and Utilization Certificate (UC) submitted by the Government of Chhattisgarh during the last three years and current year under the scheme of “Development of PVTGs” are as under:

(Rs. in lakh)

STATE-WISE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TRIBAL GROUPS (PVTGS) 

18-Dec-2018: Chairperson, NCST writes to Union Home Minister seeking re-imposition of Restricted Area Permit regime in six Islands in Andaman & Nicobar Islands inhabited by tribes.

Dr. Nand Kumar Sai, Chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has written to Union Home Minister seeking re-imposition of Restricted Area Permit regime in six Islands in Andaman and Nicobar inhabited by Andamanese, Jarawas, Sentinelese, Onges and Shompens.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has regretted that in spite of reservations expressed by the Commission for excluding 29 inhabited islands in Andaman and Nicobar from Restricted Area Permit regime, the Ministry of Home Affairs on 17th September, 2018 have further relaxed the provisions by deleting the requirement of mandatory registration by foreigners visiting A&N Islands with FRO and added Viper Island to the list of islands already exempted by its circular dated 29th June, 2018.

The Commission is of the view that the above directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs are not in consonance with the spirit of Article 338A (9) of the Constitution of India which mandates that “Union and every State Government should consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.”

In the recent times, the Commission was alarmed by a news report on 22.11.2018 regarding alleged killing of an US National in the North Sentinel Island in Andaman. The Commission held a meeting with Additional Secretary (UT) on 28th November, 2018 to discuss the above issue at New Delhi. Further, the Full Commission visited Andaman Islands from 4th to 6th December, 2018 and held discussions with Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Director of Anthropological Survey of India, IG Coast Guards and other local stake holders such as Fishermen’s Associations, Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries, NGOs and Civil Society members at Port Blair. The Commission also met the Lieutenant Governor at Raj Niwas and discussed the issues. On 5th December, 2018, the Commission had occasion to visit the Jarawa region in South Andaman and interacted with Jarawas with assistance from volunteers from Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) and interacted with police personnel deployed at Jirkatang check gate.

The Commission, after careful consideration, recommends the following steps to be taken by the Government of India and Andaman Administration for protection of five Particularly Vulnerable Tribes (PVTGs) living in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on urgent basis:

1. The names of Strait Island (Andamanese), Middle and South Andaman (Jarawas), North Sentinel Island (Sentinelese), Little Andaman (Onges) and Great Nicobar (Shompens) inhabited by PVTGs should be removed from the list of 29 islands mentioned in Annexure to the Circular No.506 dated 29th June, 2018 of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. Large size posters/hoardings should  be put up at the airport, seaport and all other important places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands decrying tourism and/or visit of any kind by the people to the above six islands inhabited by the PVTGs.
3. Surveillance and patrolling including the checking of vessels/vehicles found abutting the above six Islands should be strengthened by UT Police and Coast Guards.  Daily Incident Report (DIR) on their patrolling activities should be webhosted in the official website of Andaman Administration and other related public portals.
4. Air space above the North Sentinel Island should be declared as “NO FLY ZONE” for any type of civil aircraft.
5. A comprehensive outreach programme should be launched by Andaman and Nicobar Administration to sensitize fishermen, tourist guides, tour operators, hotel industry and other stake holders on the “EYES ON” and “HANDS OFF” policy for Sentinelese so that they can be eyes and ears of the Administration.

28-Nov-2018: NCST to Visit A&N Islands from 4th to 6th December, 2018 to Investigate and Monitor the issue of US National Feared Killed by Protected Tribes.

The issue of US national feared killed by protected tribes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands was discussed today in 108th meeting of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) under the chairmanship of Dr. Nand Kumar Sai, Chairperson of the Commission. The Commission reviewed the reports submitted by Ministry of Home Affairs and Andaman & Nicobar Administration on the incident. The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, apprised the Commission regarding the background of a decision of the Ministry to relax Restricted Area Permit for 30 islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  He also informed that a five Member Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Tribal Welfare) of the A&N Administration has been constituted by Lt. Governor of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands - to review the institutional mechanism to prevent the landing of the  foreign national in the North Sentinel Island; and to suggest measures to prevent such incidents in future. The Committee will submit its report within 30 days.          

The Chairperson, NCST expressed that following the unfortunate incident, the vulnerability of Sentinelese tribes in North Sentinel Island has increased many fold, and any aggressive steps to recover the body will adversely disturb the peace and tranquility in the island. He mentioned that the Commission will be visiting the A&N Islands from 4th to 6th December, 2018 for investigation and monitoring of the matter under Article 338A(5a) of the Constitution of India.  He reiterated that all necessary steps must be taken by the Government to maintain “Inviolability of North Sentinel Island”.

27-Jun-2018: NCST Organises “National Seminar on Conservation of particularly vulnerable tribes of Andaman & Nicobar islands: the way forward”

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has organized a Two days National Seminar on “Conservation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Way Forward”. The Seminar was inaugurated by the Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Admiral (Retd.) D.K. Joshi. The Chairman of NCST Shri. Nand Kumar Sai presided over the inaugural function.

About 44 Ministries/Departments are participating in the seminar to present their strategies and approach towards PVTGs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This Seminar has been organized in collaboration with Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Directors of 18 Tribal Research Institutes in different States are also participating to deliberate on critical issues of tribal groups who are at the verge of extinction. Vice Chancellors of six Universities including Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak will provide academic inputs on PVTGs.  Domain experts, NGO and Civil Society representatives are also providing their perspective so that a holistic view is taken on way forward.

Delivering inaugural address, Lt. Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Admiral (Retd.) D. K. Joshi emphasized that let PVTGs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands grow with their genius and at their own pace. He said that Andaman & Nicobar Islands are home to the most primitive tribal groups: Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompens. Some of these tribal groups are on the verge of extinction. It is important to understand the challenges they face and to preserve them.

In his address, Shri. Nand Kumar Sai, Chairman, NCST said that today these fragile communities are facing expropriation of their ecosystem by outsiders. There is an aggressive brush off with non-tribals- traders and tourists and this is impacting their physical, environment and routine life. The outside influences are impacting their land use patterns, use of the sea, overall biodiversity leading to material and non-material changes in them and to some deleterious consequences. These is clearly need to learn from what happened to the Onges and the Great Andamanese who have been adversely impact by outside influences brought in by tourism and modern development.

In his welcome address, Secretary, NCST Shri Raghav Chandra dealt upon many important issues pertaining to the most primitive tribal groups of Andaman and Nicobar Islands viz Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompens.  He said that the Tribal way of life is the simplest, serene and sustainable in the world, Modern mankind with its expensive, waste-including, consumerist lifestyle has a lot to learn from our ancient native tribes- most notably about to coexist peacefully and how to reduce our footprint on mother earth.  The total area of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is 8249 sq kms or twelve times the size of the country of Singapore. The total number of tribes on these islands are 28077, out of which 97% are the more developed Nicobarese. The five particularly venerable tribes are the Sentinelese only 50, in North Sentinel Island; Andamanese: 70 in Strait Islands; Onges : 120 in little Andaman Islands;  Shompens: 238 in Great Nicobar Island and Jarawas : 500 in middle and South Andaman Islands.

He further said that historically, although these islands lay along the grand trade routes between Europe and East Asia, they remained isolated and unexplored. The A&N tribes represent oldest living indigenous communities of the world, with anthropological connections with both the original inhabitants of Africa and of East Asia which reveals in their features. Many attempts have been made across history by the colonial British rulers to subjugate them and to keep Andamans as a penal colony, but the indomitable spirit of the tribes was not easy to defeat.

Exclusive Thematic Sessions have been organized held on the Sentinelese, Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Shompen.  The deliberations take stock of the impact of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation 1956 as amended in 2005 and 2012 along with 2004 Policy on Jarawa Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar.  Similarly, the 2015 Policy on Shompen of Great Nicobar Islands have been discussed in the Seminar. The entire architect of welfare approach by the Government is analysed in the seminar for a road map for PVTGs in Andaman, which are a role model for PVTGs in other States.

25-Jun-2018: NCST to organise “National Seminar on Conservation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands: The Way Forward” on 27-28 June, 2018.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is organizing a National Seminar on “Conservation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Way Forward” on 27th and 28th June, 2018 at Kamaladevi Multipurpose Hall, India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi.  About 44 Ministries/Departments have been invited by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to present their strategies and approach towards PVTGs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This Seminar is being organized in collaboration with Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Directors of 18 Tribal Research Institutes in different States have also been invited to deliberate on critical issues of tribal groups who are at the verge of extinction. Vice Chancellors of six Universities including Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak will provide academic inputs on PVTGs.  Domain experts, NGO and Civil Society representatives will provide their perspective so that a holistic view is taken on way forward.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to the most primitive tribal groups: Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompens.  Some of these tribal groups are on the verge of extinction.  It is important to understand the challenges they face and to preserve them. With these objectives in view, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), a Constitutional body set up under Article 338(A) of the Constitution to protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes, is organizing for the first time a two-day Seminar.

Exclusive Thematic Sessions will be held on the Sentinelese, Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Shompen. The deliberations will take stock of the impact of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation 1956 as amended in 2005 and 2012 along with 2004 Policy on Jarawa Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar.  Similarly, the 2015 Policy on Shompen of Great Nicobar Islands will also be discussed in the Seminar. The entire architect of welfare approach by the Government will be analysed in the seminar for a road map for PVTGs in Andaman, which will be a role model for PVTGs in other States.

2-Apr-2018: Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

There are 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) notified as on date in the country.  The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are as under:

1. Pre-agriculture level of technology;
2. Stagnant or declining population;
3. Extremely low literacy; and
4. A subsistence level of economy.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing a scheme namely “Development of PVTGs” which covers the 75 identified PVTGs among Scheduled Tribes in 18 States/ UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.  It is a flexible scheme and covers funding for activities like housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry, construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security including Janshree Beema Yojana or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs.  Priority is also assigned to PVTGs under the schemes of Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub-Scheme(TSS), Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, Grants-in-aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the welfare of Schedule Tribes and Strengthening of Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts.

8-Apr-2017: Vulnerable tribes lost in a classification trap

A recent Anthropological Survey of India(AnSI) publication has brought to the fore startling revelations about the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the country including the fact that no base line surveys have been conducted among more than half of such groups.

Of the 75 PVTGs, base line surveys exists for about 40 groups, even after declaring them as PVTGs. Base line surveys are done to precisely identify the PVTG families, their habitat and socio-economic status, so that development initiatives are implemented for these communities, based on the facts and figures. The publication emphasizes State governments must urgently conduct such surveys to arrive at accurate demographic and socio-economic figures of the PVTGs.

Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha (13), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12), Bihar including Jharkhand (9) Madhya Pradesh including Chhattisgarh (7) Tamil Nadu (6) Kerala and Gujarat having five groups each. The remaining PVTGs live in West Bengal (3) Maharashtra (3), two each in Karnataka and Uttarakhand and one each in Rajasthan, Tripura and Manipur. All the four tribal groups in Andamans, and one in Nicobar Islands, are recognised as PVTGs.

There is a huge variation in the number of PVTGs ranging from a few individuals as in case of Great Andamanese, Onge and Sentinelese and about a little more than a thousand people as in the case of Toda of Nilgiris. Although PVTGs are slowly witnessing decadal increase in their population, quite a few still face stagnation such as the Birhor in central India. Some are declining like the Onge and Andamanese.

75 tribal groups have been categorized by Ministry of Home Affairs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)s. PVTGs reside in 18 States and UT of A&N Islands. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the Scheme of “Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)” exclusively for them . Under the scheme, Conservation-cum-Development (CCD)/Annual Plans are to be prepared by each State/UT for their PVTGs based on their need assessment, which are then appraised and approved by the Project Appraisal Committee of the Ministry. Activities for development of PVTGs are undertaken in Sectors of Education, Health, Livelihood and Skill Development , Agricultural Development , Housing & Habitat, Conservation of Culture etc.

Smallest population size among the PVTGs are the Sentinelese (as per the last contact effort on March 9, 2005, groups of 32 and 13 persons were sighted at different places). They still shy away from others. The Great Andamanese (57 persons) and the Onge (107 persons in 2012 as per Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti) are the dwindling populations. In main land, the Toto of West Bengal (314 families with 1,387 persons as per 2011 census) and the Toda of Tamil Nadu (1,608, inclusive of 238 Christian Todas as per TRC, Udagamandalam [Ooty], 2011)) have population less than 2000 persons. The Saharia people of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the largest among the PVTGs with population more than 4 lakhs.

Name of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) (earlier called as primitive tribal groups) – state / UT wise[UT = Union Territories].

Andhra Pradesh

1. Bodo Gadaba

2. Bondo Poroja

3. Chenchu

4. Dongria Khond

5. Gutob

Gadaba

6. Khond Poroja

7. Kolam

8. Kondareddis

9. Konda Savaras

10. Kutia Khond

11. Parengi Poroja

12. Thoti

Bihar (including Jharkhand)

13. Asurs

14. Birhor

15. Birjia

16. Hill Kharia

17. Korwas

18. Mal Paharia

19. Parhaiyas

20. Sauria Paharia

21. Savar

Gujarat

22. Kathodi

23. Kotwalia

24. Padhar

25. Siddi

26. Kolgha

Karnataka

27. Jenu Kuruba

28. Koraga

Kerala

29. Cholanaikayan (a section of Kattunaickans)

30. Kadar

31. Kattunayakan

32. Kurumbas

33. Koraga

Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh)

34. Abujh Marias

35. Baigas

36. Bharias

37. Hill Korbas

38. Kamars

39. Saharias

40. Birhor

Maharashtra

41. Katkaria (Kathodia)

42. Kolam

43. Maria Gond

Manipur

44. Marram Nagas

Odisha

45. Birhor

46. Bondo

47. Didayi

48. Dongria-Khond

49. Juangs

50. Kharias

51. Kutia Kondh

52. Lanjia Sauras

53. Lodhas

54. Mankidias

55. Paudi Bhuyans

56. Soura

57. Chuktia Bhunjia

Rajasthan

58. Seharias [Sahariya]

Tamil Nadu

59. Kattu Nayakans

60. Kotas

61. Kurumbas

62. Irulas

63. Paniyans

64. Todas

Tripura

65. Reangs

Uttar Pradesh (including Uttarakhand)

66. Buxas

67. Rajis

West Bengal

68. Birhor

69. Lodhas

70. Totos

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

71. Great Andamanese

72. Jarawas

73. Onges

74. Sentinelese

75. Shom Pens