HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 09: Model Answer

Question: What initiatives has the government taken for the betterment of the tribal population in the country? Explain with examples. (4 marks, 60 words)

Answer: 

Introduction:

• The tribal population in India is 8.6% according to the 2011 census and most of them belong to lower socio-economic status.
• The scheduled tribes are 11.3% of the total population of rural areas and 2.8% of urban areas. There are about 550 tribes in India.
• These tribals take shelter from forest and utilize wild edible plants both raw and cooked. The flower and fruits are generally eaten raw where as tubers, leaves and seeds are cooked.
• Tribals utilize forest produce, forest timber and fuelwood.

Different measures taken:

• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
• Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission: it seeks to achieve livelihood driven tribal development through formation of Van Dhan groups who have been organized into Vandhan Kendras.
• Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana that aims at creating enabling environment for need based and outcome oriented holistic development of the tribal people.
• Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram which programme aims to tap into the traditional knowledge and skill sets of tribal people by adding technology and Information Technology for upgradation of output at each stage and to convert the tribal wisdom into a remunerative economic activity
• Government is implementing Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)/Schedule Tribe Component (STC)/Development Action Plan for Development of Scheduled Tribes (DAPSTs) for overall development of tribal people across the country including North Eastern Region

CONCLUSION

India is a country with large ethnic society and has immense wealth due to which it is rich in biodiversity.

These ethnic people mostly the indigenous tribals live close in the vicinity of forests and have managed and conserved the biodiversity of their localities since long time. These tribals are living in forest since ages and have developed a kind of affinity with forests.

Thus the State is dutybound to extend different welfare measures to them.