The Odisha government recently announced initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the tribal population in the state.
About the Initiatives:
- LABHA (Laghu Bana Jatya Drabya Kraya) Yojana: This scheme, fully funded by the state, establishes a minimum support price (MSP) for minor forest produce (MFP). The MSP will be determined annually by the state government. Under this scheme, tribal individuals, who constitute 99% of primary collectors, will have the opportunity to sell MFP directly. The Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation Limited of Odisha (TDCCOL) will oversee the collection at procurement centers, managed by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and other designated agencies. The scheme aims to integrate with Mission Shakti’s Women SHGs, thereby empowering tribal women. Additionally, a procurement automation system will be implemented to track MFP collection and primary collector details, eliminating the possibility of distress sales to middlemen.
- Commission for the Preservation and Promotion of Tribal Languages: This commission will focus on encouraging multilingual education, documenting and preserving tribal languages, promoting their usage, and safeguarding linguistic rights. Efforts will be made to include tribal languages such as Ho, Mundari, Kui, and Saora in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Tribal Population in Odisha:
- Odisha is home to 62 distinct tribes, including 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), with Scheduled Tribes constituting around 68.09% of the total tribal population in the state.
- The majority of Scheduled Tribes reside in hilly and forested areas, leading subsistence-oriented lives.
- Despite facing social, educational, and economic challenges, the Scheduled Tribes maintain unique cultural identities, with 21 different tribal languages spoken in Odisha.
- Their rich cultural heritage contributes to the diverse socio-economic landscape of tribal regions in Odisha.