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In India seventy five tribes have been identified as “Primitive Tribal Group” (PTG now called Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) of which Karnataka has two. The Koraga and Jenu Kuruba are the two tribes residing in the Western Ghats of the Karnataka. Koraga is an aboriginal tribes of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada District which is notified as a Primitive Tribe in 1986. From 1956 to 1986 they were listed in the category of Scheduled Tribes. Though the Koragas are tribal's they are regarded as ceremonially impure and unclean in the local Hindu Society. Koraga tribe is regarded as one of the most marginalized community in South India. Their population is about 14,000 according to the 2011 census report. A great majority of them led a hard life and good proportion of them is engaged in their traditional occupation like basket viewing, coir making and are scavenging in the Village Panchayath. Today the Koragas are facing the serious threat in their existence because of wide spread of the fatal diseases, malnutrition and unhygienic living condition. They are experiencing even negative population growth due to rising of mortality rates. If their degenerating conditions are not addressed and programmes are not initiated to increase their welfare they may go out of existence in the next few decades. The waves of the modernization and the industrial growth have not touched the Koragas. This paper outline the major Primitive Characteristics of Koragas of Karnataka State and also discussing the Problems and Challenges facing by the Koragas in today’ technological era.
