Indian Journal of Research in Anthropology

In Maharashtra state of India Ahmednagar district is one of largest geographical district. Pravra River originates in Akole Taluka in the Deccan Hills on Harishchandra Harh. Pravra River is also known as “Amrutvahini” name related to mythological “Amrutmanthan ceremony”. This Pravra River has three tributaries - Mhalungi, Mula, Adhula. After journey of 208KM Pravra River merges with Godavari River at Pravra sangam. Pravra river is one of the ancient river near about 4500 years old shown by excavation sites at Jorvey, Daimabad, Newasa and very recently in Chandegaon three skeletons found whose study is going on [1]. 

Chhattisgarh has a tribal population of 32.45 percent (Census of India, 2011) [1]. Tribals are concentrated over nearly 65 percent of the state's area, and this area covers seven districts entirely and another six districts partly. The state is home to several tribes small, large and even those nearing extinction in numbers and it presents among the most challenging scenarios for human development anywhere in the country. Despite all, the Scheduled tribes, for ages, have been victims of socio-economic exploitation and have been relegated to low-income generating occupations, inferior trades, unhealthy environments, and unclean unskilled occupations and the majority of Scheduled Tribes continue to show socio-economic backwardness while the goals of tribal development have been pursued within the broad framework of overall development. With the above background the objective of the study is to find out the status of the implementation objects of government and the acceptance status of local tribal people towards tribal development programs regarding literacy, educational status, health, women's status cultural protection norms, etc. for this purpose both qualitative and quantitative research methods had been followed. The result shows that there is improvement in acceptance of the tribal development program but there is still lacking a strong bridge between the tribal development program and the tribal people of Bastar. 

India has several socially disadvantaged communities and Scheduled Tribes are the most deprived ones. In Census 2011 the Government of India identified 10,42,81,034 citizens as Scheduled Tribes constituting 8.6% of the total population of the India (As per 2001 Census, it was 8.2% of the total population of India). In India, each state is practically equivalent to a country with its own specific socio-economic level, different ethnic groups, food habits, health infrastructures and communication facilities. Kodagu is one such district located on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats in Karnataka and is home to many communities with diverse ethnic origins, and tribes such as the Yeravas, Kurubas and Kudiyas, who are of hunter-gatherers of forest origin. The present study focuses on the socio demographic and economic conditions of the Yerava, Jenu Kuruba and Malekudiya tribes. There have been changes especially in the social and economic life of these tribal people though, differences were found in their social, demographic and economic conditions. 

The relationship between anthropology and development has been vigorously debated, ever since Malinowski advocates a role for anthropologist as policy advisers to African colonial administrators and Evans-Pritchard urging them instead to do precisely the opposite and distance themselves from the tainted worlds of policy and 'applied' involvement. Objectives of the present article are to investigate various aspects of development and social inequality among the Birhor tribe of the Chhattisgarh and to visualize the prospects of development through the Birhor's perceptions. The information and facts have been collected by using group discussion and non-participant and quasi-participant observation methods. The data, thus collected, was verified through focused group discussion, involving hamlet head, Panch and the randomly selected Birhor natives. Targeted Birhor tribe is miles away from the ‘light’ of ‘Development’. They are devoid of basic amenities, such as food, cloth, house, educaiton, health, engery, communication services, transport facilities and so on. Employment opportunities are almost negligible. They face social exclusion from non-Birhor society (Tribal and Non-tribal) in matters related to food distribution especially during community feasts. Women are further subjected to social exclusion during their menstruation period and delivery episodes. Cultural practices of these types are not congenial for their proper mental development.