Question

Describe the economic pursuits of tribes in India with suitable examples in about 500 words.

Answer 1

Tribes of India are varied in terms of their socio-economic and political development. Some of them have changed through Hinduisation, and some through conversion to Christianity or other routes. Some tribal people are in the transitional phase, while others are adhering to their old lifestyles. This shows an uneven process of change and development among the tribal people in India. Only a small number of tribal people have been benefited by the policies and programmes meant for their development.

According to the 1991 census, the tribal population was 6.78 crore, that is, about 8.08 per cent of the total population of India. Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar have highest ST population in descending order, respectively. Gujarat and Rajasthan have over 3 million each. Maharashtra has nearly 8 per cent, followed by Assam, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. Lakshadweep islands, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have a little less than 100 per cent tribal population.

Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have a negligible number of tribal people. According to 1981 census, the percentage of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population was 7.7 per cent.