CHENCHUS TRIBE : ENVIRONMENT

CHENCHUS TRIBE : ENVIRONMENT

NEWS : A tribe out of time: how Chenchus have been caught between ancestral past and uncertain future in Andhra Pradesh

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?

The Chenchus of Penukumadugu have lived in the dense Nallamala forests for centuries, their existence intertwined with the wilderness around them. However, their inability to keep up with the relentless pace of modernisation has led to dwindling work opportunities under the MGNREGA. Nellore Sravani writes how the Chenchus, caught between an ancestral past and an uncertain future, are grappling with isolation, poverty, and an erosion of their traditional way of life 

 

Chenchus Tribe (Andhra Pradesh)

  • One of the oldest aboriginal tribes, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
  • Population: Approximately 28,349.
  • Traditionally forest foragers, reliant on forests for food and resources.
  • Low literacy rates and socio-economic challenges.
  • Struggle to adapt to modern society due to limited exposure.

 

Challenges Faced

  1. Economic Vulnerability: Depend on low-wage agricultural labor, insufficient income.
  2. Employment Loss: MGNREGS Chenchu Special Project discontinuation, leading to reduced work opportunities.
  3. Aadhaar Challenges: Aadhaar-linked wage payments create barriers due to low literacy and access to technology.
  4. Health Issues: Nutritional deficiencies, high infant and maternal mortality, genetic disorders.
  5. Forest Restrictions: Conservation laws limit forest access, affecting traditional livelihoods.
  6. Housing/Infrastructure: Poor living conditions, inadequate housing, lack of electricity, and transport.
  7. Cultural Displacement: Difficulty shifting from traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture.

 

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)

  • 75 PVTGs across 18 states and 1 union territory.
  • Defined by low development, pre-agricultural livelihood, and shrinking populations.
  • Face limited access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
  • Supported by targeted government programs (Ministry of Tribal Affairs) for upliftment in health, education, and livelihood.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/a-tribe-out-of-time-how-chenchus-have-been-caught-between-ancestral-past-and-uncertain-future-in-andhra-pradesh/article68714155.ece