An Assessment of Poverty and Living Standards of Irulas (A Primitive Tribal Group In Tamil Nadu)
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Date
2011
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Abstract
The tribal population identified as the aboriginal inhabitants of India are seen
in almost every state of India. There are some distinct backward groups among the
tribal communities, who live more or less in isolation, inaccessible terrain and
maintain a lifestyle that remains static through centuries. The population of these
socially isolated tribal communities small in size and referred to as the primitive tribal
groups (PTG) are in the lowest strata of the general tribes.
In Tamil Nadu, hulas are one of the primitive tribal groups and a major scheduled
tribe. Since the hulas are forest dwellers, they are quite familiar with the jungle
produce, which they barter with the. other tribai communities. The present study is an
attempt to study the prevalence of poverty among the hulas in the Nilgiris district. A
detailed Interview schedule was prepared containing questions on the socioeconomic
and demographic features of the tribals; their health details, political and
general awareness. The data were collected from the selected households In the
month of October of 2008. The study brings out the widespread poverty, illiteracy,
malnutrition, amongst the primitive tribal communities in the Nilgiris district.