PVTGs

12 Jun PVTGs

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)”. The topic “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)” has relevance in the Social Justice of the UPSC CSE exam.

Relevance:

For Prelims:

GS 2: Social Justice?

Who are PVTGs?

For Mains:

Challenges in welfare of PVTGs?

Protective measures taken for PVTGs?

Why in the news?

President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, will grace the PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Meet in the Sports Ground of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, President’s Estate. The President has invited the Members of 75 PVTGs for a visit to the Rashtrapati Bhawan  for an extensive interaction with them and to apprise them about the various Schemes and Initiatives of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Who are PVTGs?

PVTG stands for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. In India, the government recognizes certain tribal communities as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups based on their relatively stagnant socio-economic development, low literacy rates, and declining population. These groups are considered as more vulnerable and disadvantaged compared to other tribal communities.

There are 75 recognized PVTGs in India. Some examples of PVTGs include the Jarawa, Sentinelese, and Onge tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Birhor and Kharia tribes in Jharkhand, and the Paniya and Kurumba tribes in Kerala.

In India, tribal population makes up for 8.6% of the total population.

In 1973, the Dhebar Commission introduced the category of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) to identify and address the specific needs of certain tribal communities that were less developed. However, in 2006, the Government of India recognized the need for a more inclusive and respectful terminology and renamed PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). This change in nomenclature reflects a shift towards acknowledging the vulnerabilities faced by these groups and emphasizes the importance of focused welfare measures to uplift and empower them.

Challenges in welfare of PVTGs?

• Marginalization and Displacement: PVTGs have historically faced marginalization and displacement due to various factors such as development projects, land acquisition, and conflicts. This disrupts their traditional way of life, leading to loss of livelihoods, cultural erosion, and social disintegration.
• Poverty and Lack of Economic Opportunities: PVTGs generally face high levels of poverty and lack access to income-generating opportunities. Limited access to markets, inadequate infrastructure, and limited skills hinder their economic development and upward mobility.
• Education and Literacy Gap: PVTGs have lower literacy rates and limited access to quality education. They often face challenges such as a lack of schools in their areas, language barriers, and discrimination, which results in lower educational attainment and limited opportunities for the younger generation.
• Health and Healthcare Disparities: PVTGs face significant health disparities and limited access to healthcare facilities. Factors such as remote geographical locations, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, cultural barriers, and lack of awareness contribute to higher rates of morbidity and mortality among PVTGs.
• Cultural Preservation and Identity: Rapid socio-cultural changes, assimilation, and external influences pose a threat to the cultural preservation and identity of PVTGs. Economic pressures, urbanization, and exposure to mainstream society can lead to the erosion of traditional knowledge, customs, languages, and practices.
• Land Rights and Resource Conflicts: PVTGs often struggle with securing and retaining their traditional land rights. Encroachments, land grabbing, and conflicts over natural resources, including forest land, deprive them of their traditional sources of livelihood and sustenance.
• Social Discrimination and Stigma: PVTGs continue to face discrimination, prejudice, and stigmatization in society. They may experience exclusion, stereotypes, and unequal treatment, which further marginalize and hinder their social and economic progress.
• Limited Representation and Participation: Despite measures to ensure their representation, PVTGs often face challenges in actively participating in decision-making processes at various levels of governance. Their voices may be marginalized or not adequately heard, impacting the formulation and implementation of policies that directly affect them.

 

Protective measures taken for PVTGs?

• Reservation of Seats: PVTGs are provided reserved seats in local government bodies, such as Gram Panchayats (village councils), to ensure their representation and participation in decision-making processes.
• Land Rights: Efforts are made to secure and protect the land rights of PVTGs. This includes providing them with legal recognition of their traditional lands, preventing land alienation, and assisting in the retrieval of alienated lands.
• Housing: Government schemes aim to provide PVTGs with housing facilities, including support for constructing and improving houses to ensure better living conditions.
• Education: Special focus is given to the education of PVTG children. This includes initiatives such as residential schools, hostels, and ashram shalas (residential schools for tribal children) located in or near PVTG habitations. These facilities offer free education, meals, and other support services.
• Healthcare: PVTGs have access to specialized healthcare services, including mobile medical units and primary health centers established in their areas. Outreach programs are conducted to provide medical assistance, immunization, and healthcare awareness campaigns.
• Livelihood Support: PVTGs receive support for livelihood enhancement through various schemes, including skill development programs, vocational training, agricultural support, and financial assistance for income-generating activities.
• Forest Rights: The Forest Rights Act (2006) provides PVTGs with rights over forest resources, including the right to access and use non-timber forest produce, grazing rights, and the right to protect and manage their traditional forests.
• Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Steps are taken to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of PVTGs. This includes documenting and archiving their traditional knowledge, promoting cultural festivals, supporting cultural centers, and facilitating the preservation of their languages and traditional arts.
• Awareness and Sensitization: Government agencies conduct awareness and sensitization programs among the general public and government officials to foster understanding, respect, and appreciation for the cultural diversity and unique needs of PVTGs.

Source:https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1931534

plutus ias current affairs eng med 12th June 2023

Q.1 Which of the following criteria are used to identify and categorize a tribal community as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in India?

1.Low literacy rates

2.High population growth

3.Technologically advanced practices

4.Cultural distinctiveness

Select the correct option:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 3, and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: (c)

Q.2Which of the following statements regarding Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India is/are correct?

1.PVTGs are recognized by the government of India based on their socio-economic development only.

2.The Forest Rights Act (2006) provides PVTGs with rights over forest resources, including the right to access and use non-timber forest produce.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) None of the above

Answer: (b)

Q.3 Discuss the challenges faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India in their socio-economic development and suggest measures to ensure their inclusive growth and welfare.