Empowering the Margins: Transforming the Lives of Chhattisgarh’s Vulnerable Tribal Communities
Empowering the Margins: Transforming the Lives of Chhattisgarh’s Vulnerable Tribal Communities
Project Details
Category: Rural Development – Women Empowerment and Gender Equality
Project: Transformation of lives: The Changing Era of PVTGs
Organisation: Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission
Start Date: 2019
Website: https://bihan.gov.in
In Chhattisgarh, a state known for its dense forests and significant tribal population, the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (CGSRLM) has embarked on a pioneering project to uplift the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). These communities, living in remote, forested areas, face considerable socio-economic challenges, including minimal income, limited access to education and healthcare, and resistance to external influences. The CGSRLM initiative, titled “Transformation of Lives: The Changing Era of PVTGs”, seeks to integrate these communities into the mainstream while respecting their unique cultural practices. The project, launched in December 2019 under the aegis of the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), focuses on empowering PVTG households through enhanced livelihoods, access to basic entitlements, and capacity-building for sustainable development.
Transforming Lives
The CGSRLM project targets some of the most disadvantaged communities in Chhattisgarh: the Baiga, Pahadi Korwa, Birhor, Kamar, and Pando tribes, who are largely isolated from mainstream society. Recognising the high dependency of these communities on forest resources, the project promotes economic independence by introducing alternative livelihood options. Additionally, the project focuses on critical aspects of health, sanitation, and education, which are often inaccessible in remote tribal regions. Led by State Mission Director Ms. Padmini Bhoi Sahu and Chief Operating Officer Ms. Alice Manisha Lakra, the project operates across nine districts, covering 9,756 households through a habitat-based approach. The initiative aims to transform these tribal women into Lakhpati Didis—women earning an annual income of INR 1 lakh or more.
Process
The project’s unique approach leverages local leadership by training Community Resource Persons (CRPs) selected from within the PVTG communities. By choosing CRPs from the community itself, the initiative ensures a culturally sensitive approach that builds trust among the tribes. Each CRP is provided with digital tablets loaded with multimedia content on various government welfare schemes. This digital content helps CRPs educate and raise awareness within their communities about available welfare programmes.
To understand the socio-economic landscape, offline surveys were conducted across the selected PVTG households. These surveys identified gaps in areas such as income, health, and education, which informed the tailored interventions developed by CGSRLM. An advanced Management Information System (MIS) was implemented to track the project’s key performance indicators, enabling real-time monitoring of progress and challenges. Additionally, the project employed a convergence model, coordinating multiple government departments and schemes to maximise the support provided to PVTG families.
Challenges
The implementation of the project faced several challenges, primarily rooted in the cultural and geographic isolation of the PVTG communities. The tribes, historically resistant to external interventions, were reluctant to accept changes in lifestyle, particularly in areas such as institutional healthcare and education. The use of traditional healers and adherence to old customs posed obstacles to introducing modern practices.
Logistical challenges also presented barriers to project implementation. The lack of basic infrastructure, such as roads, limited the accessibility of these remote areas, making it difficult to provide government entitlements like Aadhar cards, ration cards, and health services. Additionally, the low literacy levels within PVTG communities limited the effectiveness of conventional outreach methods, requiring the project team to adopt creative and community-centered solutions.
Outcomes
Despite these challenges, the CGSRLM project has made significant strides in transforming the socio-economic landscape of Chhattisgarh’s PVTG communities. To date, over 9,000 households have been surveyed, and tailored interventions have been implemented based on the specific needs identified through these assessments. One of the most remarkable achievements of the project is the empowerment of 362 PVTG women as Lakhpati Didis, each now earning an annual income of 1 lakh INR—a tremendous shift from their previous state of financial dependency on forest produce alone.
The project has also universalised access to essential services for nearly 9,700 families, enabling them to avail themselves of healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation facilities. The use of tablets and multimedia content has enhanced awareness among these communities about health and hygiene practices, contributing to improved quality of life and a gradual shift towards modern healthcare solutions. Through strengthened Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Village Organisations (VOs), the initiative has empowered local decision-making, allowing communities to take charge of their development while respecting their unique cultural heritage.
Future Roadmap
Building on its initial success, CGSRLM plans to expand its interventions across additional PVTG communities. Future plans include intensifying support for income generation, with the goal of making more PVTG women self-sufficient and expanding the “Lakhpati Didi” model across the region. For communities currently supported through a universal approach, CGSRLM intends to apply a more intensive strategy to address specific needs.
Additionally, the project team has highlighted the importance of culturally sensitive livelihood promotion strategies, ensuring that economic development aligns with the traditional practices of the PVTGs. By equipping these communities with skills and resources, CGSRLM aims to foster an environment where PVTGs can make informed decisions regarding their development, allowing for greater autonomy and resilience.