A tribe is a social division in a traditional society consisting of families linked by social, economic, religious or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect. A tribe possesses certain qualities and characteris- tics that make it a unique cultural, social and polit- ical entity. Tribes are also known by the name “Adivasis” in India.
Tribes in India:
Constitution of India has recognized tribal commu- nities in India under “schedule 5” of the constitution. Hence the tribes recognized by the constitution are known as “scheduled tribes”
Characteristics of Tribes Generally tribes have the following various distinctive characteristics.
✦ Definite common Topography
✦ Sense of Unity
✦ Endogamous group
✦ Ties of Blood relationship
✦ Protecion Awareness
The Scheduled Tribes:
The farmers of the constitution took note of the fact that certain communities in the country were suffer- ing from extreme social, educational and economic backwardness arising out of age-old practice of untouchability and certain others on account of this primitive agricultural practices, lack of infrastruc- ture facilities and geographical isolation and who need special consideration for safeguarding their interests and for their accelerated socio-economic development. These communities were notified as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as per pro Vile
visions contained in clause 1 of Article 341 and 342 of the constitution respectively.
Demographic features of Tribals:
As on 31st Dec, 2022 there are over 730 Scheduled Tribes notified under Article 342 of the Constitution of India, spread over (it constitutes 15% of the total area of the India) different States and Union Territories of the country. Recently in the last year i.e. 2022, certain communities are included in the list of STS in the States of Jharkhand, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The largest number of communities listed as Scheduled Tribes are in the State of Odisha.
No community has been specified as a Scheduled Tribe in the States of Haryana, Punjab & Union Territories of Chandigarh and Delhi.Various Posts and Blogs are available internet for further information.
The population of Scheduled Tribes (STS) in the coun- try, as per Census 2011 is 10.45 crore. Population of ST males is 5.25 crore and ST females is 5.20 crore. STs constitute 8.6 percent of the country s total pop- ulation and 11.3 percent of the total rural population. Mizoram (94.4%) is the state with the highest per- centage of tribal population.
The highest population of tribal group in the country are the Bhils. They are spread all over North India. Gonds are in the second place, Santals are in 3rd place.A maximum of 13 tribal districts are recognized in Arunachal Pradesh.
The least tribal group in the country is the Sentinels who live in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to Tendulkar methodology, in Rural areas 45.3% and in Urban areas 24.1 % of ST Population liv- ing in Below Poverty Line during 2009-10 and 2011-12.
State Wise Tribes:
Andhra Pradesh : Andh And Sadhu Andh, Bhil, Bhaghata, Dhulia, Rona, Kolam, Gond, Thot Goundu, Kammara, Savaras, Dabba Yerkula, Sugalis, Nakkala, Pardhan Gadabas, Chenchus A.K.a Chenchawar, Kattunayakan, Jatapus, Manna,Dhora.
Arunachal Pradesh: Singpho, Monpa, Abor, Sherdukpen, Galo, A patanis
Assam : Khasis, Chakma, Dimasa, Gangte, Garos, Hajong, Chutiya
Bihar : Gond, Birjia, Asur, Savar, parhaiya, Chero, Birhor, Santhals, Baiga
Chhattisgarh : Nagasia, Biar, Khond, Agariya, Bhattra, Mawasi, Bhaina
Goa : Varli, Dubia, Siddi, Dhodia, Naikda
Gujarat : Patellia, Bhil, Dhodia, Bamcha, Barda, Paradhi, Charan, Gamta
Himachal pradesh:Swangal,Lahaulas, Khas,Gujjars, Pangwala, Lamba, Gaddis
Jammu and Kashmir:Balti, Garra, Sippi, Bakarwal, Mon, Gaddi, Purigpa, Beda Jharkhand: Gonds, Birhors, Savar, Mundas, Santhals, Khara, Bhumji Karnataka:Gond, Patelia, Barda, Yerava, Bhil, Koraga, Adiyan, Iruliga Kerala: Malai, Aarayan, Arandan, Uralis, Kurumbas, Arandan, Eranvallan
Madhya Pradesh: Kharia, Bhils, Murias, Birhors, Baigas, Katkari, Kol, Bharia, Khond, Gonds Maharashtra: Warlis, Khond, Bhaina, Katkari, Bhunjia, Rathawa, Dhodia
Manipur:Thadou, Aimol, Maram, Paite, Chiru, Purum, Kuki, Monsang, Angami
Meghalaya:Pawai, Chakma, Raba, Hajong, Lakher,k Garos, Jaintias Khasis
Mizoram:Dimasa, Raba, Chakma, Lakher, Khasi, Synteng, Kuki, Pawai
Nagaland:Nagas, Angami, Sema, Garo, Kuki, Kachari, Mikir
Odisha:Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Khond, Matya, Oraons, Rajuar, Santhals
Rajasthan:, Bhils,Damaria, Dhanka, Meenas (Minas), Patelia, Sahariy.
Sikkim:Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas.
Tamil Nadu:Adiyan, Aranadan, Eravallan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Todas. Telangana:Chenchus Tripura:Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal, Chakma, Halam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte.
Uttarakhand: Bhotias, Buksa, Jannsari, Khas, Raji, Tharu.
West Bengal:Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Parhaiya, Rabha, Santhals, Savar.
Andaman and Nicobar:Oraons, onges, Sentinelese, Shompens.
Little Andaman:Jarawa
North-East:Abhors, Chang, Galaong, Mishimi, Singpho, Wancho
Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) shall be established in states having scheduled Areas. The TAC may also be established in any state having Scheduled Tribes but not scheduled areas on the direction of the President of India.
The TAC consists of not more than Twenty members of whom, as nearly as may be, three fourth are from the representatives of Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly of the State.
The Role of TAC is to Advice the State Government on matters pertaining to the welfare and advance- ment of the Scheduled Tribes in the State as may be referred to it by the Governor.
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1966, which the provisions of Panchayats, contained in part- IX of the constitution, were extended to scheduled areas, also contains special provisions for the benefit of Scheduled Tribes.
In Telangana Scheduled Areas found in Khammam, Adilabad, Warangal, Mahaboob-nagar, khammam has the highest percentage of scheduled areas.
Tribal Regions:
Tribal Regions can be divided into following Zones on the basis of distribution and diversity of the trib- al population.
Southern Zone: Southern zone includes Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Two union territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Telangana.
North-North Eastern Zone: It includes the tribal areas Himachal Pradesh, Northern UP, Ladakh (J&K), Sikkim and the Northeast com- prising 7 states i.eMeghalaya, Mizoram,
Central or Middle Zone: This Zone includes Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Aurnachal Pradesh Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh, Southern Uttar Pradesh, Southern Rajasthan, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar.