Political empowerment and inclusive development of tribals through PRIs a study in Gajapati district of Odisha

Abstract

The first Chapter is introductory chapter. Social development envisages the development of newlineall. Every single individual and the society at large, have their own hidden potentialities. The newlinecommunity development is possible through the development of every single individual in newlinethe society and thus requires proper utilization of their potentialities through well directed, newlineself motivated actions. newlineThere are 62 different types of tribals in Odisha who constitute about 54 percent of the total newlinepopulation of Odisha. Out of these tribal communities, Kondh and Soura are the two major newlinetribal communities living in the district of Gajapati. These tribals are under utter poverty due newlineto various socio-economic conditions. newlineThe Scheduled Tribe constitutes nearly 54.29% of the population of Gajapati district. Out of newlinethe seven Development blocks of Gajapati district, five of them namely, Gumma, Rayagada, newlineR. Udayagiri, Mohana, and Nuagada are Tribal blocks coming under the operation of newlineIntegrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA). Despite the various development initiatives undertaken by the Government, the Tribals are newlineaffected by issues like soil erosion and desertification, extreme poverty, lack of access to newlineeducation and health care, forced migration, ownership over land use and rights. Migration newlineto other parts of the country in search of job or work is also frequently found among these newlineTribals. This migration alienates them from their traditional way of life. newlineImportance of the study: newlineTribal population which forms around one-fourth of state s population requires special newlineattention of the planners and the government for the general economic growth of the state. newlineThe tribals which forms a considerable population in Gajapati requires specific studies to newlineimprove their lot. newline