Livelihood challenges and survival strategies of the hill-kharia and mankadiatribes in mayurbhanj district of odisha

Abstract

This paper is based on a study on the survival and livelihood challenges of Hill-Kharia and Mankadia tribes (PVTGs) and the impact of welfare schemes in their life in Jashipur and Karanjia blocks of Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The paper reveals that education beyond primary level among these PVTGs is almost absent and their health status is poor, which together, make them vulnerable. These two tribal groups lack basic infrastructural facilities such schools, hospitals, roader, banks, electricity, proper drinking water, communication and transportation. Majority of them are in primitive stage of life, without having a proper house and largely depend upon on forest produce and manual labour for their survival. They spend very less on education and health. Besides, alcohol addiction is the main reason for their poor health and economic condition. The tribal welfare programmers could not achieve the desired results in the life of the Hill-Kharia and Mankadia and many of them are at the bottom of the human development index.