Module 4 • Tribal Demography, PVTGs & Dharti AabaOctober 202615 min read
Tribal Demography, PVTGs of Jharkhand & Dharti Aaba Mission
Target Exam: JPSC Combined Civil Services•Official Sources: Jharkhand State Gazettes, Budget & Official ReleasesJharkhand State Gazettes, Budget & Official Releases
Tribal Demography, PVTGs of Jharkhand & Dharti Aaba Mission
Tribal identity (Adivasiya Asmita) is the foundational bedrock of Jharkhand. With 32 officially recognized Scheduled Tribes, a total ST population of 86.45 lakh (26.21% of state population) according to Census 2011, Jharkhand accounts for 8.3% of India's total tribal population (ranking 12th numerically nationwide).
1. District-Wise Tribal Demography
A. Districts with Highest Percentage of Tribal Population
1.
Khunti: 73.25% (highest ST proportion in Jharkhand; birthplace of Birsa Munda at Ulihatu).
2.
Simdega: 70.78% (nursery of Indian hockey).
3.
Gumla: 68.94%.
4.
West Singhbhum: 67.31%.
5.
Lohardaga: 56.89%.
6.
Latehar: 45.54%.
7.
Dumka: 43.22% (sub-capital in Santhal Pargana).
8.
Pakur: 42.10%.
B. Districts with Highest Absolute ST Population
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Ranchi: Ranks 1st numerically with approximately 10.42 lakh tribal residents.
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West Singhbhum: Ranks 2nd numerically with approximately 10.11 lakh tribal residents.
2. Recognized Tribal Groups & Major Tribes
Jharkhand recognizes 32 distinct Scheduled Tribes:
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Major Groups: Santhal (numerically largest tribe in Jharkhand, predominant in Santhal Pargana), Oraon (Kurukh speakers, predominant in Chotanagpur plateau), Munda (Kolarian stock), Ho (Kolhan basin).
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Other Prominent Tribes: Kharia, Bhumij, Lohra, Mahli, Chero, Kharwar, Bedia, Gond, Chik Baraik, Karmali, Kora.
3. The 8 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
Of the 32 tribes, 8 communities are categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) due to declining or stagnant populations, pre-agricultural technology, and acute subsistence vulnerability:
1.
Asur: Ancient indigenous iron-smelters of Netarhat plateau; oral epic Asur Kahani.
2.
Birhor: Nomadic forest-dwellers; master rope-makers (chop fibre) and monkey trappers; lived in leaf shelters (kumbhas).
3.
Birjia: Sub-group of Asurs practicing shifting cultivation (bewar).
4.
Korwa: Forest hunters and shifting cultivators inhabiting Latehar, Garhwa, and Palamu.
5.
Mal Paharia: Hill tribe of Rajmahal hills (Santhal Pargana).
6.
Sauria Paharia: Inhabitants of Rajmahal summit ridges; speak Malto (Dravidian language); shifting cultivation (kurao).
7.
Parhaiya: Inhabitants of Palamu plateau; skilled bamboo basketry.
8.
Savar: Traditional forest food gatherers.
4. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (2024–2029)
Launched in commemoration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda ("Dharti Aaba" - Father of the Earth):
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Scale in Jharkhand: Covers 7,139 villages across all 24 districts.
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National Context: Encompasses 63,843 villages across 549 districts in 30 States/UTs, converging 25 interventions across 17 Central ministries with an outlay exceeding ₹79,150 crore.
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Priority Interventions: Pucca housing (PMAY-G), all-weather roads (PMGSY), piped tap water (Jal Jeevan Mission), electrification, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, mobile medical units, and 4G broadband towers.
5. PM-JANMAN & State Tribal Schemes
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PM-JANMAN (PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan): ₹24,000 crore national mission launched from Khunti in November 2023 for PVTG habitations.
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Birsa Awas Yojana: Jharkhand's dedicated 100% state-funded housing scheme providing disaster-resilient pucca homes exclusively to PVTG families.
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Dakin Gadi & Mobile Healthcare: Mobile medical dispensary vans visiting inaccessible hilltop Sauria Paharia and Birhor settlements.
Key Examination Takeaways:
- Jharkhand's ST population is 86.45 lakh (26.21% of total population) across 32 recognized tribes, accounting for 8.3% of India's tribal populace.
- Khunti has the highest ST concentration (73.25%), followed by Simdega (70.78%), while Ranchi has the highest absolute ST population (10.42 lakh).
- The state is home to 8 PVTGs: Asur, Birhor, Birjia, Korwa, Mal Paharia, Sauria Paharia, Parhaiya, and Savar.
- The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan covers 7,139 villages across all 24 districts in Jharkhand, converging 25 infrastructure interventions.