Socio-Economic Conditions of Thalamalai Tribes

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of socio-economic conditions of sathyamangalam tribes. The tribal population of Tamil Nadu have a special significance because of their extreme level of social and economic backwardness and they reside in remote isolated areas away from any other kind of human interaction. They are the first to receive the wrath of nature, in ways like drought, heat stroke, infectious diseases, heavy rainfall etc. Special attention and care is required for them to lead normal lives like others. Scheduled Tribes population in Tamil nadu was 651,321; they constitute 1.04 percent of the total Population. Among these, 36 Scheduled Tribe communites in the state, six tribal communities have been identified as Primitive Tribal Groups; these are the Toda, Kota, Kurumbas, Irular, Paniyan and Kattunayakan. They form 31.49 per cent of the total tribes in Tamil Nadu. While kota, Toda, Kurumba and a majority of Paniyans are found in tribe, is found in all northern and western districts of the state. Ever since the Fifth Five Year Plan, Government of India has introduced a number of special development programmes and interventions which are being extended for this vulnerable section of the community. Therefore it is essential to understand the socio-economic and cultural characteristics of these Tribal froups. Though they are grouped often together they differ in their language, culture and region. Thus, it is necessary to implement particular programmes concerning their specific wants and needs. This can only be achieved through vital research concerning their socio-economic conditions and the problems associated with them. The purpose of this study was to explore socio-economic conditions of the sathyamangalam tribes. The research conducted during the course of the study was unique in bringing out the difficulties of these tribals and it provides an emphasis on their upliftment as citizens of India.