Tribal Area Development (TAD)
India is a land of diversity—not just in culture or language, but in developmental needs. Among the most marginalised and historically excluded groups are the tribal communities, or Scheduled Tribes (STs). Their story is not just about identity and culture, but also about injustice, isolation, and the slow path to integration.
Understanding the Tribal Demographic Landscape
- As per the 2011 Census, tribals constitute 104 million, i.e. 8.6% of India’s population.
- Their concentration is highest in:
- Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh
- Other states with above-national-average ST population: Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, etc.
✅ Geographical Clustering
Tribals are mostly concentrated in:
- Hilly terrains, dense forests, and semi-arid zones
- Regions like the Northeast hills, Chhota Nagpur Plateau, Western Ghats, and Aravalli-Vindhya margins
These areas are resource-rich but development-poor, creating a paradox of “poverty amidst plenty”.
Historical Background – The Roots of Alienation
To understand the present tribal condition, one must trace their past:
1. Pre-colonial and Colonial Times
- Originally, tribals lived in isolated, self-sustained communities.
- Colonial expansion led to:
- Displacement
- Land alienation by moneylenders and zamindars
- Cultural erosion
This injustice sparked rebellions—Santhal, Bhil, Munda, Koli, Sanyasi, etc.—but most were brutally suppressed by the British.
2. Post-Independence Promises
The Indian Constitution recognized this injustice and provided protective and developmental safeguards:
| Provision | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Fifth Schedule | For tribal areas in general states |
| Sixth Schedule | For tribal areas in the Northeast |
| Article 14 & 29 | Equality before law & protection of culture |
| Reservations | In education, jobs, political representation |
| PESA Act | Empowerment through Gram Sabhas |
| Forest Rights Act (2006) | Legal recognition of traditional forest dwellers |
| TRIFED | Promoting tribal products & trade |
| Ministry of Tribal Affairs | Dedicated body for ST welfare |
Refer Cultural Geography notes to read more about constitutional safeguards for tribal groups and also other related concepts.
The Gap Between Law and Reality
Despite these progressive steps, ground realities paint a grim picture—especially in central and western India:
❌ Major Issues
- Land acquisition without consent
- Displacement without proper rehabilitation
- Mining and infrastructure projects eroding tribal rights
- Health, education, livelihood indicators remain low
- Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) is often a symptom, not the disease
The Xaxa Committee Report highlighted how development often comes at the cost of tribal lands and dignity.
The Way Forward: Towards Inclusive Tribal Development
To bridge the gap between promise and practice, we must envision a genuinely empowering development strategy:
1. Strengthening Local Governance
- Empower Gram Sabhas to decide land acquisition, resource use, and displacement
- Implement PESA & FRA in letter and spirit, not just on paper
2. Education and Cultural Protection
- Article 29 must be used to promote tribal languages and heritage
- Primary & upper primary education should be strengthened in tribal languages with local teachers
3. Health and Infrastructure
- Revive PHCs and CHCs to tackle malnutrition, maternal health, and diseases
- Use Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) with strict regulation to ensure tribal benefit
4. Societal Inclusion
- Tribals should not be stereotyped as Naxals
- Cultural sensitivity must be built into police, administration, and judiciary
- Schemes like Salwa Judum—which violated rights—should be discontinued
5. Respect Tribal Knowledge
- Traditional medicinal systems and ecological wisdom can strengthen AYUSH
- Recognize tribal intellectual property as a national asset
✅ Final Takeaway: Development with Dignity
Tribal development is not just about welfare—it’s about justice, empowerment, and inclusion. It must balance three critical elements:
- Preserve identity
- Ensure dignity
- Deliver development
Development must not displace the tribal from their land, their culture, or their sense of self. Instead, it must walk with them, not ahead of them.
Government Schemes for Tribal Area Development
🟩 Central Sector & Centrally Sponsored Schemes under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
| Scheme | Objective |
|---|---|
| 1. Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY) | Holistic development of tribal communities through livelihood, education, health, and infrastructure |
| 2. Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (SCA to TSP) | Bridge the gap between tribal and general population by funding critical development gaps in TSP areas |
| 3. Grants under Article 275(1) | Constitutional provision to fund tribal welfare schemes in ST areas |
| 4. Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) | Targeted support to improve socio-economic status of PVTGs with focus on housing, livelihood, health, and education |
| 5. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) | Residential schools for tribal students (Class 6–12) to provide quality education at par with the national standard |
| 6. Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) | Promote research and documentation of tribal culture and suggest policy input |
| 7. Support to Tribal Festivals, Culture and Heritage | Fund preservation and promotion of tribal art, culture, fairs, and festivals |
| 8. Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products | Through TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India) under “Van Dhan Yojana” |
| 9. Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) | Holistic development of 36,428 tribal villages into ‘model tribal villages’ by 2026 |
| 10. Strengthening Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts | Provide residential schooling, nutrition, and support for girls from ST communities |
🟨 Schemes from Other Ministries with Tribal Subcomponents
| Scheme | Ministry | Tribal Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 11. Van Dhan Yojana | Ministry of Tribal Affairs + TRIFED | Promote value addition and marketing of MFP (Minor Forest Produce) through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras |
| 12. Forest Rights Act Implementation Support (FRA, 2006) | MoTA & State Forest Departments | Legal recognition of land rights and forest rights to tribals |
| 13. Poshan Abhiyaan | Ministry of Women & Child Development | Address undernutrition among tribal children and women |
| 14. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan | Ministry of Education | Special focus on tribal-dominated districts for universal access to education |
| 15. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) | Ministry of Rural Development | ST families are a key target group |
| 16. Jal Jeevan Mission | Ministry of Jal Shakti | Priority to tribal areas for drinking water access |
| 17. National Rural Health Mission (now part of NHM) | Ministry of Health | Special mobile medical units and sub-centres in tribal belts |
| 18. Skill India Mission (PMKVY) | Ministry of Skill Development | Tribal youth skilling through tribal-specific modules |
| 19. Stand-Up India Scheme | Ministry of Finance | Provides loans for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs |
| 20. Digital India Programme | MeitY | Special digital inclusion drives in tribal areas |
🟧 State-Specific Tribal Schemes
(examples to illustrate state-level initiatives)
| State | Scheme | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Chhattisgarh | Tendu Patta Bonus Scheme | Direct transfer of profit share to tribal collectors of forest produce |
| Odisha | Odisha PVTG Empowerment & Livelihoods Improvement Programme (OPELIP) | Livelihood and food security for PVTGs |
| Maharashtra | Ashram School Scheme | Residential schools for ST children in remote areas |
| Jharkhand | Mukhya Mantri Tribal Udyami Yojana | Support for tribal entrepreneurship through grants and training |
🟦 Institutions Promoting Tribal Welfare
| Institution | Role |
|---|---|
| TRIFED | Marketing tribal products through “Tribes India” outlets and e-commerce |
| National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) | Constitutional body to monitor ST-related safeguards |
| Ministry of Tribal Affairs | Apex body for planning and policy formulation |
| Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) | District-level implementation and coordination agencies |