Baiga tribal group gets habitat rights in Chhattisgarh: What this means, significance

• Recently, the Baiga Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) became the second to get habitat rights in the state, after the Kamar PVTG.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)

• PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups.
• Due to this factor, more developed and assertive tribal groups take a major chunk of the tribal development funds, because of which PVTGs need more funds directed for their development.
• In this context, in 1975, the Government of India declared 52 tribal groups as PVTGs on the recommendation of Dhebar commission.
• Currently, there are 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.
• The PVTGs are spread over 18 states and one UT, in the country (2011 census).
• Odisha has the highest number (more than 2.5 lakh) of PVTGs.

Characteristics of PVTGs

• Their Population is declining day by day – stagnant/declining
• Literacy Level among them is extremely low

Prelims Takeaway

• PVTGs