Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of India Understanding the Problem of Vulnerability

Abstract

The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of India, understanding the problem of vulnerability, PVTG’s are most marginalized and their vulnerabilities are getting acute with time. This historical process of marginalization is further perpetuated by increased displacement, land alienation, decreasing access and control over forests, food insecurity, poor health, education and political insignificance. Many of these issues are entrenched in the National and state level policy framework. PVTGs’ customary rights over lands, forests and other traditional sources of livelihood must be respected and protected. The new phenomenon of growth, led economic and developmental policies, in a big way, threatening their symbiotic relationship with nature and all its bounties. In the process, they are being denied access to natural livelihood resources such as land, forest and water. More tragic is the fact that wherever the tribal’s have put up resistance against forcible land acquisition by the state, they have had to face state repression of various kinds including denying them their various other legal entitlements.