An Overview of Tribal Development and Their Socio-Economic Profile in India

The Tribal people, who constitute above 8.6% of the total population of the country as per the 2001 census, are known as the oldest ethnic group because of their distinct socio-cultural patterns. In India, prior to the Constitution, the tribes were variously termed as Aboriginals, Adivasis, Forest Tribes, Hill Tribes, Primitive Tribes, etc. The tribes In India, live in the different climatic zones and their livelihood systems, traditions and customs vary from one tribe to another, even though they live in close harmony with nature and ecology. In fact, the condition of tribal in post –independent India has worsened. They are predominantly rural living, mostly in forests and mountains. A large Segment of their population lives below the poverty line and suffers from a high infant mortality rate, severe malnutrition, various communicable diseases, lower literacy rates and an extremely slow pace of development. Under development coupled with lack of access to proper administration and judicial machinery in tribal areas further increases their deprivation. They suffer from geographical and cultural exclusion, voicelessness and choicelessness. The distinctness of the tribal situation necessitated a separate policy and administration frame to administer development in their areas. Though the welfare and development of tribal has been given a very high priority from the beginning of the first five year plan, but still it remains the most backward ethnic group in our country. The paper, therefore, discusses the efforts done in this regard during the post independence period.