1. Presenter – Dr. Vikas Bhatia Professor and HOD,
Department of Community and Family Medicine
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar

2. A prospective study of tribal population in ODISHA, INDIA

3. Outline of presentation
Geographical location of Odisha & distribution of tribal population
Background information of Tribals
Socio-demographic characteristics of tribal population
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal groups ( PVTGs) – Distribution & key features
Socio-cultural distinctness of tribals in Odisha
Important means of livelihood among tribal groups
Health system issues
Future prospects

4. Location of Odisha
Odisha, being located in the eastern region of the country, hosts 4.2 crores of people (census 2011
About 485 km of coastline along Bay of Bengal
155,707 sq km geographical area
Literacy rate: 75% with female literacy: 64%
sex ratio :
979 females/1000 males
Source Population census 2011 & Wikipedia

5. Distribution of tribal blocks in Odisha
30 districts in Odisha
13 out of 30 are tribal dominant districts, called ITDA districts
Total 314 Blocks in the state
More than 1/3rd of blocks (119) under ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) coverage

6. Background
Proportion of tribal population in Odisha - increased from 22.1% to 22.8% in the last decade
Odisha ranks third and accounts for 9.1% of the total tribal population in India
Highest in Mayurbhanj (58.7%) and lowest in Puri (0.7%)
Over 62 types of Tribes are in the State
13 PVTG Tribal groups- Highest in the country
*An analysis of health status of Orissa in specific reference to health equity. Available at

7. Background (cont’d)
44.70% of the State's geographical area - Scheduled Area- Special Tribal Development Plans are implemented.
Extends over 119 out of 314 Blocks in 13 districts
Further Classification of Blocks
20 blocks (16 in tribal blocks & 4 in other blocks) - consisting of PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups)
39 blocks – consisting of mostly inaccessible and Hard to reach tribal blocks
*An analysis of health status of Orissa in specific reference to health equity. Available at

8. Socio-demographic characteristics – Tribal population
Sex ratio of the tribals has increased from 1003 in 2001 to in 2011
Literacy rate among tribal population % against the overall literacy rate of 72.87% of the State
Tribal male and female literacy rates are 63.70% and % respectively
Over the last decade - significant improvement in literacy level among the STs, from 37.37% in 2001 to 52.24% in 2011
*Census 2011 report. Available at

9. Socio-demographic characteristics – Tribal population ( cont’d)
More than 50% of tribal population reside in 8 districts
About 93.8% of tribal population in Odisha reside in rural areas (males %, females %)
Among tribal population residing in urban areas, 39.7% households fall below the poverty line
Among tribal population residing in rural areas, 63.5% households fall below the poverty line
*Census 2011 report. Available at

10. Socio-demographic characteristics – Tribal population ( cont’d)
*Census 2011 report. Available at

11. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups ( PVTGs)

12. Distribution of PVTG blocks in Odisha

13. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups- Key Features
Primitive, geographically isolated, shy and socially, educationally & economically backward
Live in various ecological and geo-climatic conditions ranging from plains to forests, hills and inaccessible areas
There are 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India, characterized by
a pre-agriculture level of technology,
Remote located enclaves
smallness in numbers
a stagnant or diminishing population trend
extremely low literacy and
a subsistence level of economy
* Tribal Culture Heritage Foundation in India. Available at

14. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups- Key Features ( cont’d)
Special category - Distinct social, cultural and occupational practices
About 13 PVTG groups exist in Odisha- largest in the country
Concentrated in the Eastern Ghats and Northern Plateau
An estimated population of 83,611
Spread over 541 villages in 12 districts
Needs special focus – increasingly vulnerable
*Statistical profile of Scheduled Tribes in India – Ministry of tribal affairs, Statistical division, Govt of Indi. Available at

15. Socio-cultural distinctness of Tribals
Harmonious co-existence with Nature

16. Socio-cultural distinctness of Tribals (cont’d)
Unique costumes and ornaments

17. Socio-cultural distinctness of Tribals (cont’d)
Community living and togetherness

18. Socio-cultural distinctness of Tribals (cont’d)
Tribal Hat ( Weekly Market) and Tribal alcohol( locally made like Handia, Mahul, Salap prepared from flowers, rice, saps, etc

19. Socio-cultural distinctness of Tribals (cont’d)
Tribal Dance and Tribal Art

20. Tribal livelihood- living at the margins
49.6 % tribals live below poverty line in India
Average income of a tribal household is INR against INR for general category household
Mostly survive on forest and forest produce
Have little access to formal markets
Exploited by middle men in the market
Source-Indian Human development Survey-2005

21. Major sources of Tribal livelihood
Minor Forest Produce

22. Major sources of Tribal livelihood( cont’d)
Forest produce-based Craft work

23. Tribal livelihood ( cont’d)
Mid & up land Agriculture

24. Tribal livelihood ( cont’d)
Slash& Burn ( Jhuming) cultivation

25. Rationale….
The tribal population, still being the under privileged section of the society, focus needs to be laid upon their prevailing health status

26. Health Profile of tribal population in Odisha
The infant mortality (78.7 per 1000 live births) and under five mortality (136.3 per 1000 live births) rates among tribal population stand at an alarmingly higher rate
Analysis of nutritional indicators - any anemia (80.1%) and under nutrition (54.4) are highly prevalent in children
Perspective of maternal health – Only 17.3% of expectant mothers were attended by a health care professional and 11.7% delivered in a health care facility
*An analysis of health status of Orissa in specific reference to health equity. Available at

27. Health system issues – tribal population
Shortage of skilled human resource
Inadequate infrastructure
Poor logistics and supply arrangements
Lack of ST specific data like disease burden, morbidity & mortality profile, etc.
Absence of Private Sector
Poor availability of critical emergency services
Poor Monitoring & Supportive Supervision
Poor Governance, High absenteeism & unresponsive health system

28. Future prospects….
Area sensitive and tribe specific Health planning given the fact that there are about 700 tribals groups in india and about 62 in Odisha
To bridge the scientific knowledge gap, health care should give paramount importance to spreading ‘ Health Literacy’ by way of mass educational methods, folk media, modern media and school curriculum
More focused research should be done to identify the causative factors for meagre health indicators
A focused continuum of care approach - from early childhood to reproductive age group, would bridge the gap in health status of the tribal population
Strengthen community mobilization and build up the capacities of frontline workers in tribal areas to ensure effective delivery of basic health services and increased utilization by tribal communities

29. Thank you…..