Government in Budget 2023-24 has made the announcement of the Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Development Mission.The mission is aimed to improve socio-economic conditions of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) by saturating PVTG families and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.The mission envisages availability of Rs.15,000 crore from the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes, for activities to be undertaken in the next three years under the Mission.
PVTGs
- In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, which are less developed among the tribal groups.
- In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). PVTGs have some basic characteristics -they are mostly homogenous, with a small population, relatively physically isolated, social institutes cast in a simple mold, absence of written language, relatively simple technology and a slower rate of change etc.
- In 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups, while in 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes, spread over 17 states and one Union Territory (UT), in the country (2011 census).
| State /UT | Name of PVTGs |
| Andhra Pradesh | Bodo Gadaba, Bondo Poroja, Chenchu, Dongria Khond, Gutob Gadaba, Khond Poroja, Kolam, Kondareddis, Konda Savaras, Kutia Khond, Parengi Poroja, Thoti |
| Bihar (including Jharkhand) | Asurs, Birhor, Birjia, Hill Kharia, Korwas, Mal Paharia, Parhaiyas, Sauria Paharia, Savar |
| Gujarat | Kathodi, Kotwalia, Padhar, Siddi, Kolgha |
| Karnataka | Jenu Kuruba, Koraga |
| Kerala | Cholanaikayan (a section of Kattunaickans), Kadar, Kattunayakan, Kurumbas, Koraga |
| Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh) | Abujh Marias, Baigas, Bharias, Hill Korbas, Kamars, Saharias, Birhor |
| Maharashtra | Katkaria (Kathodia), Kolam, Maria Gond |
| Manipur | Marram Nagas |
| Orissa | Birhor, Bondo, Didayi, Dongria-Khond, Juangs, Kharias, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Sauras, Lodhas, Mankidias, Paudi Bhuyans, Soura, Chuktia Bhunjia |
| Rajasthan | Seharias |
| Tamil Nadu | Kattu Nayakans, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyans, Todas |
| Tripura | Reangs |
| Uttar Pradesh (including Uttarakhand) | Buxas, Rajis |
| West Bengal | Birhor, Lodhas, Totos |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, Shom Pens |
Chhattisgarh Government has granted habitat rights to its Baiga PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) right after the Kamar PVTG received habitat rights in August 2023.The Baiga PVTG became the second group to be granted these rights in Chhatisgarh.Chhattisgarh has seven PVTGs (Kamar, Baiga, Pahadi Korba, Abujhmadiya, Birhor, Pando and Bhujia).
Baiga Tribe
- The Baiga (means sorcerers) tribe mainly lives in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
- Traditionally, the Baiga lived a semi-nomadic life and practised slash and burn cultivation. Now, they are mainly dependent on minor forest produce for their livelihood.
- Bamboo is the primary resource.
- Tattooing is an integral part of Baiga culture, every age and body part has a specific tattoo reserved for the occasion.
Habitat Rights
- Habitat rights recognition provides the community concerned rights over their customary territory of habitation, socio-cultural practices, economic and livelihood means, intellectual knowledge of biodiversity and ecology, traditional knowledge of use of natural resources, as well as protection and conservation of their natural and cultural heritage.
- Habitat rights safeguard and promote traditional livelihood and ecological knowledge passed down through generations. They also help converge different government schemes and initiatives from various departments to empower PVTG communities to develop their habitats.
- According to the FRA, “habitat” includes customary habitats and those in reserved and protected forests of PVTGs and other forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes.
- Out of 75 PVTG in India, only three have habitat rights- the Bharia PVTG in Madhya Pradesh was the first, followed by the Kamar tribe and now the Baiga tribe in Chhattisgarh.
Procedure of Declaring Habitat
- The procedure is based on a detailed guideline given for this purpose in 2014 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- The process involves consultation with traditional tribal leaders to determine the extent of culture, traditions, and occupation.
- Coordination between state-level departments, including Forest, Revenue, Tribal, and Panchayati Raj, and with the UNDP team is essential for defining and declaring habitats.
Legality
- Habitat rights are granted to PVTGs under Section 3(1)(e) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (also known as FRA).
- The recognition of Habitat rights grants PVTGs possession over their customary territory, encompassing habitation, economic and livelihood means, biodiversity knowledge.