Problems faced by Tribal Communities in India

Indicator 

Data

Tribal population

• According to the 2011 census, the tribal population in India was 104 million, constituting 8.6 per cent of country's population.

Sex ratio

• The sex ratio of the tribal population in the country is higher than the national average at 990 females per 1,000 males. 
• The child sex ratio has declined from 972 in 2001 to 957 in 2011, the first ever report on health of tribals has revealed.

Per capita income

• As per the estimates of poverty ratio of the Planning Commission, the percentage of STs living below the poverty line has come down from 62.3% in rural areas during 2004-05 to 45.3% during 2011-12.  
• In the urban areas, the percentage of STs living below the poverty line has come down from 35.5% during 2004-05 to 24.1% during 2011-12.

Literacy rate

• The literacy rate of scheduled tribe in India is 58.96 percent as compared to the National average i.e. 72.99 percent.

Health indicator

• 65% of tribal women in the 15-49 years age group suffer from anemia.
• The rate of institutional delivery is the lowest among tribal women (70.1%).
• Total Fertility Rate for STs is 2.5.

Problems

Description

Examples

Land rights and displacement

• Many tribal communities have been displaced from their traditional lands due to development projects, mining, and other activities. 
• This has led to losing their livelihoods, homes, and cultural heritage.

• Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat has displaced thousands of tribal people from their ancestral lands.

Exploitation and marginalization

• They are often exploited and marginalized by powerful groups, such as government officials, landlords, and businessmen. 

• Adivasi population in the state of Odisha have been facing exploitation by the mining companies, who have taken over their land and resources.

Lack of education and healthcare

• They have limited access to education and healthcare, which has a negative impact on their overall well-being and development.
• Lot of health issues, such as malnutrition, lack of access to proper health care, and a high incidence of infectious diseases.

• The literacy rate among the tribal population is lower compared to the national average and the healthcare facilities in tribal areas are inadequate.
• As per census 2011 the literacy rate was 59%.

Loss of culture and tradition

• Lost their traditional customs, languages, and arts due to modernization and the erosion of their traditional way of life.

• Due to impact of globalization and modernization traditional practices and rituals of the Great Andamanese tribes are on the verge of extinction.

Economic marginalization

• Engaged in traditional forms of livelihoods, such as agriculture, forestry, and hunting, which are becoming less viable in the face of modernization and globalization.

• The traditional livelihoods of the Munda tribes in Jharkhand are under threat due to the decline in the availability of forest resources and the impact of mining.

Political marginalization

• They are not well represented in the political process and their voices are not heard in the policy-making process.

• Tribal communities of the Northeast region of India have not had a fair representation in the political process and their issues are not fully addressed by the government.

Article

Provisions

Article 15(4) and 16(4)

• Reservation of seats in educational institutions and government jobs for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to help them overcome historical disadvantages and improve their socio-economic status.

Article 46

• Lays down the directive principles of the State Policy which require the State to promote the educational and economic interests of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

Article 244

• Administering tribal areas in certain states, such as Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution.

Article 275

• Financial assistance to the states for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Article 330

• Reserving seats in the House of the People and the Legislative Assemblies of the States for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Article 332

• Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Councils of the States where such Councils exist.

Article 338 

• Constitution of a National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to investigate and monitor the implementation of laws and policies related to the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.