Role of NGO in tribal development

Published on 30 Jan 2025

Over the years, NGOs in India have been involved in activities for human rights protection, campaigns for social justice, development of downtrodden etc. Tribals, being one of the most marginalised sections in India, have also benefited from the works of many NGOs due to their developmental initiatives.

• Community empowerment: NGOs work towards empowering tribal communities by enhancing their capacity to make informed decisions, fostering self-reliance, and promoting sustainable development practices. 

• Advocacy for tribal rights: NGOs advocate for the recognition and protection of tribal rights, including land and resource rights and raise awareness about legal frameworks.

• Example: Samatha NGO organised tribals and petitioned in court against illegal mining, with the Supreme Court declaring that transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining was null and void.

• Education and skill development: NGOs design and implement educational programs tailored to the specific needs of tribal communities, develop curriculum materials that reflect local cultures, and provide vocational training to enhance employability.

• Example: Sabuj Sangha is a West Bengal based NGO implementing education support programmes for tribal communities in North Bengal.

• Healthcare initiatives: Setting up healthcare facilities, conducting health awareness campaigns, and integrating traditional healing practices with modern healthcare.

• Example: Karnataka based Swasti NGO has been active in improving the health services for tribal population in the state.

• Livelihood and economic development: They support the development of sustainable livelihoods by introducing income-generating activities, promoting entrepreneurship, and providing training on agricultural practices. 

• Environment conservation: They promote environmentally sustainable practices i.e, sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and conservation efforts to ensure that development is harmonious with the local environment.

• Example: SwitchON Foundation has supported environment conservation initiatives of many tribal communities.

Challenges faced by NGOs during tribal development programs

• Cultural sensitivity: Tribes often have unique cultural practices, beliefs, and traditions and NGOs must navigate these sensitivities to avoid inadvertently offending or undermining the community's values.

• Language barriers: NGOs may need to work with local translators or hire staff who understand the tribal languages and dialects.

• Example: As per experts, there are around 300 languages in North east, mostly among various tribal groups. This linguistic diversity hinders effective communication.

• Limited access to information: There may be limited access to information, making it difficult for NGOs to gather data, assess needs, and plan effective programs.

• Infrastructure challenges: NGOs may face difficulties in logistics, transportation of resources, and ensuring the sustainability of development projects due to the lack of basic infrastructure like roads, electricity and water supply in tribal areas.

• Example: Northeast India is home to around 145 tribal communities, constituting 12% of total tribal population in India. Lack of connectivity to these regions hinders NGOs developmental efforts.

• Limited education and skills: Low literacy rates and limited access to education can hinder the success of development programs. 

• Example: As per census 2011, the scheduled tribes in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha have literacy rate of only 50%

• Trust building: Building trust with tribal communities takes time. NGOs must establish credibility and demonstrate their commitment to the community's well-being before they can effectively implement development projects.

Way Forward

• Cultural preservation: Recognizing the importance of cultural identity, NGOs work to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of tribal communities. 

• Infrastructure development: NGOs collaborate with local and international partners to improve basic infrastructure in tribal areas which includes projects related to roads, water supply, sanitation, and energy access, enhancing the overall quality of life for tribal communities.

• Capacity building: This involves training in leadership, governance, project management, and other skills necessary for effective community development and decision-making.

• Empowerment and social inclusion: Promote social inclusion and empowerment, especially for vulnerable groups within tribal communities and ensure the development programs address gender disparities and empower women and marginalised groups.

By adopting a holistic, context-specific, and participatory approach, NGOs can contribute to sustainable development in tribal areas, fostering positive change and improving the overall well-being of these communities.

Tags:
Social Justice

Keywords:
NGO in tribal development scheduled caste scheduled tribes SC ST tribal rights skill development development tribal culture empowerment

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 2

Topics:
Social Justice