International Day of Indigenous Peoples

• 12 Aug 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, International Day of Indigenous Peoples was observed on 9th August to promote advocacy for Indigenous rights.

• In another development, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has been entrusted to train tribal students under Semiconductor Fabrication & Characterization Training for tribal students as part of Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE).

What is International Day of Indigenous Peoples?

• About: Observed annually on 9th August, following the UN General Assembly's recognition of this day in December 1994.
  • The day recognizes the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva in 1982.
• Theme for 2024: "Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.".
• Key Facts Related to Indigenous Peoples Globally:
  • Around 200 groups of Indigenous Peoples currently live in voluntary isolation in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India etc.
  • There are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries. 
    • They make up less than 6% of the world's population but account for at least 15% of the poorest. 
  • They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.

What are Key Facts Related to Tribals in India? 

• About:
  • In India, the term 'Adivasi' is used as an umbrella term to define a host of ethnic and tribal people that are considered as the aboriginal population of India.  
  • According to the 2011 census, these ancestral groups make up approximately 8.6% of India's general population, which adds up to around 104 million people.
• Essential Characteristics: According to Lokur Committee (1965), the essential characteristics of the tribes are:

  • Indication of Primitive Traits

  • Distinctive Culture

  • Shyness of Contact with the Community at Large

  • Geographical Isolation

  • Backwardness

• Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India refer to the various indigenous communities or tribes that are recognized by the government for special protection and assistance.
• Basic Safeguards Provided by the Indian Constitution for STs:

  • Educational & Cultural Safeguards:

    • Article 15(4): Special provisions for the advancement of other backward classes (it includes STs)
    • Article 29: Protection of Interests of Minorities (it includes STs)
    • Article 46:The State shall promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes, and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
    • Article 350: Right to conserve distinct language, script or culture.
  • Political Safeguards:
    • Article 330: Reservation of seats for STs in Lok Sabha,
    • Article 332: Reservation of seats for STs in State Legislatures
    • Article 243: Reservation of seats in Panchayats.
  • Administrative Safeguard: Article 275 provides for the grant of special funds by the Union Government to the State Government for promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and providing them with a better administration.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

• PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups. 
• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who are less developed among the tribal groups. In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs.
• In this context, in 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups, while in 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.
• PVTGs have some basic characteristics - they are mostly homogenous, with a small population, relatively physically isolated, absence of written language, relatively simple technology and a slower rate of change etc.
• Among the 75 listed PVTGs the highest number are found in Odisha.

What is Semiconductor Fabrication & Characterization Training for Students from Tribal Community Project?

• About: The project seeks to provide specialised training to tribal students to foster advanced technological skills.

• Objective: It aims to deliver 2100 NSQF-certified level 6.0 & 6.5 training in semiconductor technology to tribal students over three years.

  • National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 6.0 typically corresponds to a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and NSQF Level 6.5 often represents a specialised skill set or advanced diploma beyond a Bachelor's degree.
• Training Structure: Basic training in semiconductor technology will be provided to 1,500 tribal students, with 600 selected for advanced training. Eligible applicants must have a degree in an engineering subject.

Government Initiatives For Scheduled Tribes

• PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)

• PM PVTG Mission

• TRIFED

• Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools

• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019)

1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) 1, 3 and 4

Ans: (c)

Q With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (2020)

(a) The Revolt of 1857

(b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921

(c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60

(d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900

Ans: (d)

Q. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void? (2019)

(a) Third Schedule

(b) Fifth Schedule

(c) Ninth Schedule

(d) Twelfth Schedule

Ans: (b)

Q Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both? (2013)

(a) State Forest Department

(b) District Collector/Deputy Commissioner

(c) Tahsildar/Block Development Officer/Mandal Revenue Officer

(d) Gram Sabha

Ans: (d)

Q. In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha? (2012)

1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.
2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.
3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only 

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Q. Consider the following statements: (2019)

1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act,  1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the  bamboos grown on forest areas.
2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.
3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)