The Strategy of Tribal Development in Odisha

Abstract

Alike other developing countries, India is experiencing rapid social, economic and political changes especially since independence in 1947. The tribals have remained far from the mainstream of civilization. There are around 650 tribal communities including sub-tribes in our country. All these tribes have their own galaxy of ethnic identity in the world. The core issues of land alienation and denial of right to livelihood, low levels of literacy and poor health condition and declining population still remain the key issues determine the tribal lives. Due to diverse factors such as migration, reservation, displacement etc, tribes have now become differentiated in terms of occupation, income, education, religion, social and political orientation and social status. For addressing such issues and betterment of the trbals the government has been taken up various policies and programmes. Odisha is one of the tribal concentrated State. The broad objective of the paper is to understand about the trends of tribal policy and programmes that has been designed from time to time for the socio-economic development, empowerment of tribals, sustainable livelihood and lead a quality life in Odisha.