Introduction:
Homogeneous Regions are defined by similarities of a certain character(s) that they possess. They are also termed Uniform or Formal Regions.
For Eg: Agricultural Regions in The United States of America
Source: Harper College
The boundaries of these regions are formed on the basis of certain quantified & qualified characteristics. The boundaries change depending on the character change
For Eg: Homogeneous regions obtained based on hierarchical clustering of de-trended grain maize (left) and winter wheat (right) yield time series. Source: Research Gate
Regional Distribution of Tribes in India
Source: Jagran Josh
India's Tribal Belt: Central India
Women from Baiga Tribe, Madhya Pradesh
Source: Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0
This belt includes continuous areas of settlement of tribal people in India. These are indigenous communities or tribes that remained genetically homogenous
The Extent of Tribal Belts in India
Source: Author
The belt stretches from Gujarat & parts of Maharashtra in the West to Assam in the North East passing through MP, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, WB, parts of Rajasthan, UP. It is also observed that the Central Belt is the largest tribal region in India.
Tribes of Central India
Some important tribal groups from this zone include – the Gonds, Bhils, Mundas (including Santhals), Khonds & the Baigas. Most of them have sub-castes or sub-tribes. 90% practise primitive agriculture. Most practice shifting cultivation and some have adopted plough cultivation due to their interaction with the rural local population
The indigeneous tribes also account for restoring natural features such as water resources & forest cover through traditional conservation practices.
The Gonds
A group of Gond Women
Source: Wikimedia Commons
They are one of the largest tribal groups in the country. They are spread over the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar & Odisha.
They are a Dravidian ethno-linguistic group. They are the native speakers of the Gondi Language which belongs to the Dravidian language family. The Gondi Language is closely related to Telegu.
The Gond Palace, Bhopal
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Based on ethnographic fieldwork and oral narratives and history, as per the Gond myth, there are three kinds of Gonds - the Sur Gonds, the Nand Gonds and the Raj Gonds. The tribe has a rich & illustrious history & culture associated with them.
The Bhils
An archival image of a Bhil Woman in traditional attire
Source: Wikimedia
Bhils are listed as indigenous people of the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra & Rajasthan - all in the western Deccan regions and central India—as well as in Tripura in far-eastern India, on the border with Bangladesh.
The tribe is divided into a number of territorial divisions, which in turn have a number of clans and lineages. Most Bhils now speak the language of the region they reside in, such as Marathi and Gujarati.
Pithora Painting by the Bhils.
Source: Sahapedia
Bhils have a rich and unique culture. This includes arts, crafts, cuisines - all made from local products. A well-known folk dance tradition of the Bhil tribe is Ghoomar, which is a symbol of womanhood. Young girls take part in this dance as a part of this transformation.
The Mundas
The Mundas are found in the northern areas of east India concentrated in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal. The Munda also reside in adjacent areas of Chhattisgarh as well as in portions of Bangladesh. Munda people in Tripura are also known as Mura, and in Madhya Pradesh, they are often called Mudas
The Munda Women
Source: Jharkhand Culture
They predominantly speak the Mundari language as their native language, which belongs to the Munda subgroup of Austroasiatic languages.
The Munda people initially spread from Southeast Asia but mixed extensively with local Indian populations. From Nomadic hunters, they became farmers who were employed in basketwork and weaving. Many Mundas are employed in various governmental organisations (particularly Indian Railways)
The Santals are an ethnic group within the Mundas. The Santals performing their ritual dance.
Source: Youngisthan
As they are involved with agriculture, most of their festivals & elaborate rituals that follow the farming seasons. They have many folk songs, dances, tales and traditional musical instruments
Mundas are patrilineal and clan name descends father to son. According to tradition, people of the same clan are descendant of the same forefather. Clan among Mundas are of totemic origin
The Kondhs
They are spread over the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand & West Bengal.
The Kondhs speak the Kui language (a Dravidian Language) as their native language. It is most closely related to the Gondi & Kuvi languages
Women from the Kondh Tribe. The tribals also refer to themselves as 'Kui People'
Source: All Odisha Tour
They are traditionally hunter-gatherers. The Khonds are identified by their clan and usually hold large tracts of fertile land but still practice hunting, gathering and slash-and-burn agriculture in the forests as a symbol of their connection to and ownership of the forest. They are adept land-dwellers, exhibiting greater adaptability to the forest environment.
An Artistic Depiction of Podu System of Shifting Cultivation
Source: Jagran Josh
The men usually forage or hunt in the forests. They also practise the podu system of shifting cultivation on the hill slopes where they grow different varieties of rice, lentils and vegetables. Women usually do all the household work from fetching water from the distant streams, cooking, serving food to each member of the household to assisting the men in cultivation, harvesting and sale of produce in the market.
Regional Development Initiatives
The indigenous tribes of the regions are classified as either Scheduled Tribes or as Scheduled Caste. This depends on the district, and not the entire state.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was set up in 1999 after the bifurcation of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with the objective of providing a more focused approach towards the integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes
1 Education
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) provides free and compulsory education to children. This is implemented by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The objective is to increase education among the Scheduled Tribes.
Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is a Govt of India scheme for a model residential school for Indian tribals across India.
Ashram Schools - These are a type of residential schools. Here, boarding, lodging, combined with other facilities & incentives are provided to the students. The idea is to provide education within an environment conducive to learning and social engagement.
Education for girls in areas with low literacy rates
Vocational training centres
Hostels for Girls and Boys
Scholarships provided under various academic categories to deserving students.
2 Livelihood Generation
This includes providing assistance towards strengthening sustainable livelihood for tribal populations. Three major livelihood schemes that the Government has taken up for the tribals include:
Institutional Support For Development And Marketing Of Tribal Products/Produce - This includes setting up tribal research institutes.
Marketing Of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) Through Minimum Support Price (MSP) And Development Of Value Chain For MFP
Equity Support To National/State Scheduled Tribes Finance And Development Corporation (NSTFDC/STFDCs)
3 NGO
Incorporating the role of a decision-maker & service provider of NGOs. This ensures interaction and engagement with the beneficiaries at the grassroots level.
Granting aid to voluntary organizations that work for the welfare of the tribals
Development Specific to Particularly vulnerable tribal groups
4 Acts & Rules
For safeguarding the rights of the indigenous tribal people
For the protection of Civil Rights
Prevention of atrocities towards the tribals
Forest Rights Act
Way Forward
The unemployment problems of this region can be resolved by developing the agricultural industries through technological innovation and community – especially through the participation of women
Creating awareness among the tribal groups about the government schemes that are available for them
Strategic planning with a special focus on resolving the needs of the tribes residing in different regions should be implemented
Coping with the requirement of the existing labour market through acquiring basic skills through education and training [targeting displaced, migrated and unemployed tribals]
Ease & Accessibility of credit and banking facilities
Collaboration between the Govt, NGOs, corporate sectors, SHGs should be strengthened
Easy Accessibility to land and forest products for the forest dwellers
Traditional agriculture should be encouraged.
Farmers and artisans should be given financial assistance and capacity building training to sustain
In- Action
Mission 2020 – Kisan Lakhpati Scheme: Smart Villages (2015)
The major aspects for this included:
1. Communisation: Encouraging the participation of women at the forefront to lead the development sustainably.
Participation of women at the forefront. Increasing the yield through SRI technology
2. Market-led interventions: Financial & Technical Support towards agricultural production such as irrigation support ensures a regular supply of the produce. This promises surplus returns for the tribal community.
Technological Innovation - Soil Assessment
3. Innovations: Collaborating the traditional practices with technological innovations promises sustainable inclusive development. This encourages innovations through the community.
The farmers have linked solar energy with micro-irrigation technologies
4. Convergent Multi-Sectoral Plans addressing Quality of Life: This includes a holistic development plan including quality education, skill improvement & training programmes, provision of safe drinking water and better health - good hygiene & sanitation facilities - open defecation free settlements.
Tribal Entrepreneurship Development Program (TEDP)
The program was set up to instil the spirit of entrepreneurship among the tribals. Each tribal community have their pertinent share of rich cultural histories. Many of them are still hands-on with their traditional skills and craftsmanship. This needs to be protected and safeguarded to leave an imprint of their history & contribute to the cultural identity of the country.
Tribal women producing traditional handicrafts
Source: Aga Khan
The program identified the artisans engaged in cultural segments like Tribal Textiles, Paintings and Wall art, Superfoods, Traditional Medicinal Plants and Products, and Forest Produce.
Increasing Awareness about Indigenous Tribes in the Country through Online Database
Source: Economic Times
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sought to set up an online database that provides information on all the Indigenous Tribes in India. This includes documentation of their origins, history & evolution, migration patterns, their contribution to India’s freedom struggle, changes in lifestyle, eating habits, the architecture of huts or semi-pucca houses, education level, mortality rate, traditional art, folk dances and other anthropological details.
Tribal Museums
Tribal Museum in Bhopal
All the collected and collated data can be used to set up Tribal Museums. Such museums carry collections of tribal life & history - such as clothing, crafts & tools. It also includes spaces for events and performances that exhibit & revive the tribal culture