MANKIDIA TRIBES : GEOGRAPHY
NEWS: Recently, the Mankidia community became the 6th
particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) PVTG to get habitat rights over
forests in Odisha.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?
Mankidia is the second PVTG to formally get the
habitat rights in the state, while the district level committees have approved
for other four communities
Mankidia
Tribe:
Ethnic
Group and Classification:
- The Mankidia tribe belongs
to the Austro-Asiatic ethnic group and forms a semi-nomadic subsection of
the Birhor tribe.
- They are officially
recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Odisha,
reflecting their marginalized and vulnerable status.
Livelihood
and Occupation:
- Their primary livelihood
revolves around food gathering and hunting within forest
areas. They rely heavily on forest resources for survival.
- As one of India's
lesser-known forest-dwelling and nomadic communities, they frequently
roam in search of sustenance.
Settlements:
- The tribe moves in small
groups and sets up temporary settlements known as Kumbhas, which
are characterized by dome-shaped huts made from leaves.
Language:
- The Mankidia people speak a
dialect derived from the Munda language. Some members are also
conversant in Odia, the regional language of Odisha.
Spiritual
Beliefs:
- Their spiritual system
revolves around both benevolent and malevolent deities.
- Logobir and Budhimai are
their principal gods, and they believe in ancestor worship to
secure health and success in hunting and forest gathering activities.
Geographical
Distribution:
- The Mankidia tribe is
predominantly found in Odisha but also inhabits regions in Jharkhand,
Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Status
and Identity:
·
As a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group
(PVTG), they are considered one of the most marginalized communities in India,
with limited access to resources, education, and healthcare.
PARTICULARLY
VULNERABLE TRIBE GROUP: PVTG
- PVTGs are more
vulnerable among the tribal groups.
- In1975, the Government of India
declared 52 tribal groups as PVTGs on the recommendation of the Dhebar Commission.
- Currently, there are 75 PVTGs
out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.
- The PVTGs are spread over 18
states and one Union Territory (UT), in the country (2011 census).
- Odisha
has the highest number (more than 2.5 lakh) of PVTGs.
Source
: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/fra-implementation-mankidia-community-becomes-6th-pvtg-to-get-habitat-rights-over-forests-in-odisha