Securing the Future for Indian Tribes | 17 Apr 2025

In 2005, the Indian government's "strategic hamleting" initiative to combat Maoist insurgency led to the displacement of approximately 50,000 Gond tribes from Chhattisgarh to neighboring states. Nearly two decades later, these communities remain in administrative limbo—denied tribal status in their adopted regions while facing barriers to returning to ancestral lands. Across India, tribal communities continue to endure land dispossession, cultural erosion, poor access to services, and bureaucratic apathy. There is an urgent need for comprehensive frameworks to safeguard indigenous rights, ensure effective rehabilitation, and enable their meaningful integration into the national mainstream.

What is the Role of Tribals in Shaping India’s Socio-cultural and Developmental Fabric? 

• Cultural Preservation and Rich Heritage: Tribal communities have played a pivotal role in preserving India’s rich cultural diversity, contributing significantly to the country’s folklore, traditions, and artistic expressions.  
  • Their deep connection to nature and unique customs serve as a vital counterbalance to the homogenizing forces of modernization.  
  • For instance, the Gond and Bhil tribes are famous for their vibrant art, which is now gaining global recognition.  
    • The Warli tribe, known for their distinct folk art, also contributes to the cultural fabric of India, with their intricate wall paintings depicting daily life and nature. 
• Environmental Stewardship and Biodiversity Conservation: Tribal communities, especially in forested regions, have been at the forefront of environmental stewardship, protecting biodiversity through traditional knowledge systems.  
  • Their sustainable practices in resource management have ensured the survival of crucial ecosystems.  
  • The tribals’ role as the guardians of forests can be seen in regions like Bastar (Chhattisgarh), where local tribal communities have actively opposed deforestation for mining.  
  • Also, the Dongria Kondh tribe in Odisha is renowned for their efforts in protecting the Niyamgiri hills, fighting against the bauxite mining project that threatened their sacred lands. 
• Contribution to India’s Agricultural Landscape: Tribal communities have significantly contributed to the evolution of India’s agricultural practices, often being the first adopters of organic farming methods.  
  • Their deep-rooted knowledge of the land, crops, and natural fertilizers has informed sustainable agricultural practices, which have proven to be resilient in harsh conditions.  
  • For instance, the Munda tribe, in Jharkhand, is another example, known for their traditional agricultural practices, such as mixed cropping, which ensures soil fertility and sustainability.  
• Economic Contribution through Tribal Entrepreneurship: Tribal populations are increasingly contributing to India's economy, particularly through entrepreneurship and local industries such as handicrafts, textiles, and herbal medicines.  
  • The government's initiatives like TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) have facilitated market access for tribal products.  
    • This has not only provided economic sustenance for tribal communities but also introduced their indigenous products to global markets. 
• Contributing to National Security and Development: Tribal communities have played a crucial role in national security and regional development, particularly in areas affected by insurgencies.  
  • For example, the re-enlisted dislocated tribals from Chhattisgarh have been instrumental in counter-insurgency operations, providing valuable local knowledge and support to security forces.  
  • These tribals, who were initially displaced during the "Strategic Hamlet" program, now serve as crucial allies in the fight against Maoist insurgents in the region.  
• Tribal Populations in Promoting National Identity and Diversity: Tribal communities, with their distinct customs, languages, and traditions, are vital in promoting India’s pluralistic national identity.  
  • Their festivals, rituals, and arts contribute to the cultural richness of the nation. The celebration of "Janjatiya Gaurav Divas" on November 15, to honor the contributions of tribal freedom fighters, exemplifies the growing recognition of tribals' historical role in India’s fight for independence.  
  • The government’s recent focus on celebrating tribal heritage through the creation of Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums across India is another example of their contributions to national identity and cultural preservation. 

What are the Major Challenges Confronting Tribal Communities in India? 

• Land Alienation and Displacement: Land alienation remains one of the most significant issues faced by tribal communities in India, with increasing industrialization, urbanization, and development projects leading to the loss of ancestral lands. 
  • For instance, in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, tribals have faced large-scale displacement due to mining, resulting in a breakdown of community structures and economic instability.  
    • Also, The Koya tribes of Thottipampu have slowly lost their lands to non-tribal moneylenders and landlords, reducing their status to that of laborers in their own fields. 
• Lack of Education and Skill Development: Despite various government initiatives, access to quality education and skill development for tribal communities remains inadequate, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and social exclusion.  
  •  The rise of initiatives like Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) is encouraging, but a large proportion of tribal youth still lack the skills to compete in the modern job market.  
    • Also, recent government data shows EMRS struggling to meet the 5% PVTG quota, with rising dropouts.  
• Health Disparities and Malnutrition: Tribal communities experience poor health outcomes, exacerbated by inadequate access to healthcare, lack of sanitation, and a high burden of malnutrition.  
  • A recent study revealed that Anaemia among tribal women aged 15-49 years rose from 59.9% to 64.6%.  
    • Also, it has been reported that about 40% of under 5 tribal children are stunted, and 16% of them are severely stunted. 
• Economic Exploitation and Poverty: Tribal communities face economic exploitation, with many relying on subsistence farming or manual labor in hazardous and poorly paid sectors.  
  • Despite their significant contribution to the country’s economy through resources like forest products, tribals often receive minimal compensation for their labor. 
  • The Government’s efforts to promote tribal entrepreneurship through schemes like TRIFED have had limited success due to a lack of market access and resources.  
    • The increased exploitation of tribal labor in mining and construction industries in states like Jharkhand has contributed to the persistence of poverty. 
• Cultural Erosion and Identity Crisis: Tribal communities in India face the erosion of their cultural identity due to the increasing influence of mainstream culture and urbanization.  
  • The Warli tribe in Maharashtra is an example of this phenomenon, where the younger generation is increasingly moving away from traditional art forms in favor of more modern professions. 
    • This shift jeopardizes the continuity of tribal traditions, folklore, and customs. 
• Environmental Degradation and Resource Scarcity: Environmental degradation, driven by deforestation, mining, and industrial activities, poses a significant threat to tribal communities, whose livelihoods are intricately linked to the natural environment.  
  • Above 50% of the tribal population live in forests (GoI, TRIFED, 2019), and derive their livelihoods from land and forest resources, yet the availability of resources like mahua and tendu leaves is declining annually.  
  • In regions like Bastar (Chhattisgarh), deforestation for mining and industrial purposes has led to a depletion of forest resources, directly impacting tribal income from non-timber forest products.  
• Weak Implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA): The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at recognizing the rights of tribal communities over forest lands they have traditionally inhabited.  
  • However, its implementation remains weak, with many tribal groups still struggling to get their claims recognized. 
  • For instance, over 40% of tribal claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) have been rejected by the Gujarat government. 
    • Critics argue that excessive reliance on satellite imagery, without abiding by the list of evidence provided in the FRA, had led to ‘wrongful denials of rightful claims’. 

What Measures can India Adopt to Mainstream and Empower Tribal Communities?  

• Enhancing Access to Quality Education and Vocational Training: To empower tribal communities, it is crucial to expand access to quality education tailored to their cultural context.  
  • This includes strengthening the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), ensuring they provide not just academic education but also vocational training aligned with the local economic landscape.  
  • Additionally, integrating tribal languages and cultural practices into curricula will help preserve their heritage while ensuring students remain competitive in the modern job market.  
• Implementing Robust Land Reforms and Forest Rights: The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 must be fully implemented to recognize the land and forest rights of tribal communities. Supreme Court’s guidelines in T.N. Godavarman Case should be implemented in letter & spirit 
  • A nationwide drive to ensure that tribal claims to forest land are legally recognized will prevent displacement and provide them with the security to continue their traditional practices.  
  • Also, there is a need to ensure effective participation of women in FRA processes and decision-making, recognizing their close relationship with forests (Xaxa Committee)  
• Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency through Tribal Entrepreneurship: Tribal entrepreneurship should be promoted through targeted financial support, including soft loans, grants, and capacity-building initiatives. 
  • The government can create a robust infrastructure for tribal businesses by connecting them to broader markets through digital platforms and cooperatives, particularly for handicrafts, organic produce, and sustainable forest-based products.  
  • Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), as recommended by the Dhebar Commission, should be given special focus.  
• Strengthening Tribal Governance and Political Representation: Empowering tribal communities through better political representation is vital.  
  • This includes ensuring that tribal areas are governed by tribal leaders with a deep understanding of local needs, values, and governance systems. 
  • Strengthening decentralized governance bodies like Panchayats (under the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996) and providing more autonomy to tribal councils can ensure more locally-driven decision-making.  
    • This approach would help address tribal issues more efficiently, from resource management to welfare schemes. 
• Fostering Inclusive Healthcare Systems: To tackle the severe healthcare disparities faced by tribal populations, India must adopt an inclusive healthcare model that incorporates tribal health needs into the national healthcare framework.  
  • This includes improving access to healthcare facilities in tribal areas, training healthcare providers in culturally sensitive practices, and addressing health issues specific to tribals, such as sickle cell anemia and malnutrition. 
  • Telemedicine services can be used to connect remote tribal areas with specialists in urban centers (with the help of BharatNET), and mobile healthcare units can help deliver essential services.  
• Promoting Cultural Preservation and National Integration: While mainstreaming tribal communities, it is essential to preserve their cultural identity and heritage. 
  • Establishing institutions dedicated to preserving tribal arts, languages, and traditions will ensure that tribal cultures are not lost to globalization. 
  • The government can facilitate the inclusion of tribal cultural festivals, art forms, and practices in national celebrations and tourism, promoting a deeper understanding of their contributions to India’s cultural fabric.  
• Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Protection: It is crucial for India to adopt climate-resilient strategies that specifically cater to the needs of tribals, including promoting sustainable agriculture, forest management, and water conservation practices.  
  • Offering tribals a direct role in environmental conservation, backed by financial incentives, can help them protect their natural resources while securing their livelihoods.  
  • Collaborative efforts with NGOs and international organizations focused on climate change could provide tribals with the tools and knowledge to mitigate environmental challenges. 
• Legal Protections Against Exploitation and Discrimination: There is a need to amend PESA to strengthen the requirement of prior informed consent for projects in Scheduled Areas as recommended by Xaxa Committee 
  • This involves implementing strict laws against land grabs, ensuring timely compensation for displacement, and protecting tribals from exploitation in mining, agriculture, and other sectors.  
    • Along with effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, and PESA, 1996, with penalties for officials who delay their execution. 
  • There is also a need to strengthen the role of Tribal Advisory Councils and ensure their active involvement in governance 

Conclusion

India’s tribal communities are integral to its socio-cultural mosaic and ecological balance, yet they face persistent marginalization and neglect. To truly empower them, India must uphold SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through inclusive development, education, and land rights. A rights-based, culturally sensitive, and participatory approach is vital for sustainable tribal upliftment.