Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups: Consolidated Notes

1. Concept and Historical Evolution of PVTGs

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are the most vulnerable among the Scheduled Tribes and are identified by the Government of India for focused development interventions.The origin of the category lies in the recommendations of the Dhebar Commission (1960–61), which observed substantial disparities among Scheduled Tribes. Initially, these groups were called Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). During the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–79), initially 52 groups were identified as Primitive Tribal Groups. In 2006, the Centre added 23 more groups, taking the total number to 75 PVTGs.In 2006, the nomenclature was changed from Primitive Tribal Groups to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

2. Distribution of PVTGs in India

India currently has 75 PVTGs spread across 18 States and 1 Union Territory — Andaman and Nicobar Islands.States with significant PVTG presence include Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and West Bengal.

3. Odisha and PVTGs

Odisha has 13 PVTGs, the highest among Indian States and Union Territories.According to SCSTRTI data, PVTGs in Odisha inhabit 1,683 villages across 14 districts.

Important PVTGs in Odisha include Bondo, Dongoria Khond, Juang, Kutia Kondha, Paudi Bhuiya, Saura, Birhore, Mankidia, Chuktia Bhunjia and Hill Khadia.

4. OPELIP and CAG Findings in Odisha

The Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP) was launched in 2016–17.A recent audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India highlighted serious implementation gaps in welfare delivery for PVTGs in Odisha. The report noted that nearly 54% of the State’s PVTG population remained outside key welfare schemes till March 2024, despite OPELIP.The audit examined records of the ST & SC Development Department, 20 Micro Project Agencies (MPAs) and project management units. Around 1.6 lakh PVTG people, representing nearly 54% of Odisha’s PVTG population, remained outside welfare coverage.The exclusion was attributed to an “apathetic approach” in extending welfare schemes to 1,138 villages newly notified in June 2020. As a result, interventions reached only 541 villages, covering around 1.34 lakh people.The Birhor community, recognised as a PVTG in 1986–87, was specifically mentioned in the context of welfare exclusion.

5. PM JANMAN

PM JANMAN stands for Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.It was launched on 15 November 2023, on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, at Khunti, Jharkhand.

Major interventions under PM JANMAN include rural roads, piped drinking water, electrification, mobile connectivity, pucca houses and infrastructure development in remote tribal areas.

6. PM JANMAN: State-Specific Interventions

Odisha

The Union Government stated that 28,383 houses had been completed for PVTGs in Odisha under PM JANMAN.

Tripura

The Centre approved 25 road projects under PM JANMAN for 30 PVTG habitations in Tripura.

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh achieved 100% electrification target for PVTGs under PM JANMAN.The initiative focused on seven PVTGs:Abujhmariya, Baiga, Bharia, Pahari Korva, Kamar, Agariya and Birhor.

Bihar

A CSR-based solar electrification initiative was launched in Bihar to provide solar-powered electricity to 51 PVTG households in Saradog village, Kaimur district.The initiative involved BRBCL and SBPDCL.

7. Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

Following PM JANMAN success, Chhattisgarh initiated a larger electrification programme under the Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA).DAJGUA is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

8. Other Welfare Measures for Tribal Communities

Important schemes and legal measures include:Major Initiatives

• PVTG Development Plan
• Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission
• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana
• Integrated Tribal Development Project
• Tribal Sub-Plan
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools

Legal and Institutional Support

• Forest Rights Act, 2006
• Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996
• SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989
• Support to Tribal Research Institutes

9. PVTGs and Census Issues

PVTGs have not been separately enumerated in any Census because many are counted under the broader Scheduled Tribe category.Some PVTGs are not listed separately and are clubbed under larger ST nomenclature. Out of 75 PVTGs, only 40 are scheduled as “single entry” under Article 342.For example, in Census 2011, Baiga in Madhya Pradesh was enumerated separately, but Abujh Maria, Bharia, Hill Korba and Kamar were not separately captured.For PM JANMAN implementation, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs collected habitation-level data with State governments. As per this survey, India has an estimated 47.5 lakh PVTG population.

10. State-Wise PVTGs Mentioned

11. Important PVTG Communities

Pahari Korwa

Pahari Korwa is recognised as a PVTG. It is distributed in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. It is a forest-dependent and economically vulnerable community traditionally associated with subsistence livelihoods.

Birhor

Birhor is recognised as a PVTG. It is distributed in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Bihar. Its traditional occupation includes forest-based livelihood activities, rope making and gathering.

Korwa

The Korwa tribe is mentioned in the context of Jharkhand.

Kolam

The Kolam community of Adilabad district in Telangana is a PVTG. Many Kolam children were found lacking Aadhaar cards, caste certificates and income certificates, affecting school enrolment and access to welfare schemes.

Mankidia

The Mankidia community of Odisha received Habitat Rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.Mankidia is a semi-nomadic section of the Birhor tribe. It is a forest-dependent community associated with rope-making skills, hunting and food gathering, monkey trapping practices and temporary forest settlements called Kumbhas. The community speaks a form of Munda language and some members are also conversant in Odia.

Jarawa

The Jarawa, also known as Ang, is a PVTG of the Andaman Islands. The administration highlighted AngKatha, an educational module related to the Jarawa tribe.

12. Telangana: PVTG Documentation and Habitations

In Telangana, many Kolam children were found without Aadhaar cards, caste certificates and income certificates, making school enrolment and welfare access difficult.A total of 390 PVTG habitations were identified.

13. Chhattisgarh: Employment and Inclusion

The district administration of Korba district, Chhattisgarh initiated measures to integrate PVTG communities such as Pahari Korwa and Birhor into the mainstream through job opportunities.The initiative focused on employment for educated youth from these communities and aimed at economic empowerment.

14. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Police Recruitment and Tribal Inclusion

A total of 140 individuals belonging to the Nicobari tribe and PVTGs joined the Andaman Police as Home Guard Volunteers.This included members of the Nicobari tribe, Onge and Great Andamanese.This was presented as a step towards tribal inclusion, participatory governance and gradual integration.

15. Electoral Participation of PVTGs

The Election Commission of India’s outreach helped bring PVTGs into the electoral process.Important examples include:

• PVTG enrolment campaigns
• Tribal-themed polling stations
• Special registration drives
• Electoral awareness in local dialects
• Mock polls
• Eco-friendly polling booths

The Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar voted for the first time in the General Election.

16. Habitat Rights and FRA, 2006

The Forest Rights Act, 2006 is formally known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006.It recognises:

• Individual Forest Rights
• Community Forest Rights
• Community Forest Resource Rights
• Habitat Rights for PVTGs

Habitat Rights are provided under Section 3(1)(e) of FRA.Under Section 2(h), habitat includes:

• customary habitat
• reserved forests
• protected forests
• landscapes traditionally occupied by PVTGs and pre-agricultural communities

Habitat rights go beyond individual land ownership and recognise collective cultural and ecological relationships with landscapes.

17. Mankidia Habitat Rights in Odisha

The Mankidia community received formal habitat rights on 22 September 2024 in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.With this recognition, Mankidia became the sixth PVTG in Odisha to receive approval for habitat rights.The first PVTG in Odisha to receive habitat rights was Paudi Bhuyan of Deogarh district, recognised on 7 March 2024.Other PVTGs approved for habitat rights include:

• Juang
• Saora
• Chuktia Bhunjia
• Dongria Kondh
• Hill Khadia
• Mankidia

18. Comparative Status of Habitat Rights in India

Apart from Odisha:

• Chhattisgarh recognised habitat rights for Kamar and Baiga
• Madhya Pradesh recognised habitat rights for Baiga
• Maharashtra recognised habitat rights for Maria Gond

Odisha currently leads in recognition of habitat rights for PVTGs.

19. Tribal Vulnerability and Habitat Threats

Dongria Kondh and Niyamgiri Hills

The Dongria Kondh community opposed bauxite mining in Niyamgiri Hills. This movement highlighted conflict between tribal rights and corporate mining interests.

Shompen Tribe and Great Nicobar

The Shompen tribe faces concerns linked to mega port, urbanisation and infrastructure expansion projects in Great Nicobar Island. These concerns include cultural erosion, demographic pressure and habitat disruption.

Baiga Communities

The Baiga tribe reportedly faced displacement due to declaration of Protected Areas in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Pahadi Korba and Kolam

Concerns were raised regarding forest destruction, coal mining and ecological degradation affecting Pahadi Korba and Kolam communities.

20. Ecological Knowledge and Livelihoods of PVTGs

Many PVTGs possess specialised ecological knowledge and forest-based livelihoods.

21. Amrit Udyan and Rashtrapati Bhavan

Amrit Udyan

Rashtrapati Bhavan