Note:

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to 5 PVTGs, which are among the most isolated and distinct indigenous communities in India. They are- Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens.

Back2Basics: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

• Overview:  They are a subgroup within Scheduled Tribes considered most backward and vulnerable.
• Habitat: They generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support.
• Distribution: There are 75 such groups identified and categorized PVTGs.
• Origin of the concept:

• • The Dhebar Commission (1960-1961) stated that within Scheduled Tribes there existed an inequality in the rate of development.
  • During the 4th Five Year Plan (1969-74) a sub-category was created within Scheduled Tribes to identify groups that were considered to be at a lower level of development.
  • This sub-category was named “Primitive tribal group”.
  • In 2006 the government of India proposed to rename PVTGs.
• Features of PVTGs: Groups that satisfied any one of the criteria are considered PVTGs:

1. 1. Pre-agricultural system of existence
   2. The practice of hunting and gathering
   3. Zero or negative population growth
   4. Extremely low level of literacy in comparison with other tribal groups.

1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.

2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.

3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.

4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 4* (d) 1, 3 and 4