Transforming Lives of the Primitive Tribe Chenchu through MGNREGS

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Project Details

Category: Livelihoods
Project Title: Transforming lives of Primitive Tribe Chenchu through “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme – Chenchu Special Project”
Department or District: Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh
State: Andhra Pradesh
Start Date of the Project: 1st May 2009
Website: https://etcsrikalahasti.ap.gov.in/Overview.html

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Tribe(s) that the Project Covers: The project specifically targets the Chenchu tribe, one of the most vulnerable among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Andhra Pradesh. The Chenchus are an indigenous community primarily residing in the remote and hilly regions of the Nallamala Forest across the districts of Prakasam, Nandyal, and Palnadu.

Keywords: MGNREGS, Tribal Development, PVTG, Livelihood Security, Rural Employment, Food Security, Social Inclusion, SHGs, Wage Employment, Malnutrition Reduction

The Chenchu tribe, geographically isolated and culturally distinct, has historically remained excluded from mainstream development processes due to their habitation in inaccessible terrains of the Nallamala forest range. These communities suffered from extreme poverty, hunger, and social exclusion. Recognizing the limitations of traditional rural development programs to reach the Chenchus, the Government of Andhra Pradesh launched a targeted initiative in May 2009 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The Chenchu Special Project aimed to bring sustainable livelihood, nutritional security, and socio-economic inclusion to this vulnerable population. This case study explores the implementation, outcomes, and innovations of the project that have contributed to transforming the lives of over 11,000 Chenchu individuals.

The Project

The Chenchu Special Project was designed to ensure livelihood security for Chenchu households through guaranteed wage employment, local infrastructure development, and targeted welfare measures. Key features included the provision of 15 days of employment every month, wage payments in cash through Village Organisations due to the absence of banking facilities, and the implementation of a “food basket scheme” to combat malnutrition. Dedicated staff and field teams were deployed, and local infrastructure such as Chenchu Computer Centres (CCCs) and exclusive field offices were established to facilitate project administration. Community-based organisations such as Self Help Groups (SHGs) played a vital role in identifying appropriate works and monitoring the project’s progress.

Problems that it Intends to Solve

The Chenchu Special Project was initiated to address multiple interlinked challenges. One of the primary issues was the distress experienced by the Chenchu communities due to chronic unemployment and undernourishment. The tribe suffered from widespread anaemia and malnutrition, which severely impacted their health and productivity. Social exclusion and cultural stigma further isolated them from government services and development schemes. Additionally, the remoteness of their settlements meant that standard MGNREGS mechanisms could not be implemented, primarily due to the lack of paying agencies like banks and post offices, as well as the inaccessibility of these areas for administrative staff.

What was the Need

The distinct socio-economic and geographic circumstances of the Chenchu tribe made it imperative for the government to adopt a customised approach. Traditional development schemes had failed to make a dent in the extreme poverty and marginalisation faced by the Chenchus. Their isolation, illiteracy, and lack of leadership structures compounded the problem. With increasing reports of starvation, migration, and bonded labour, the need for a targeted livelihood program became urgent. MGNREGS, with its focus on employment generation and durable asset creation, presented the ideal framework, but its delivery had to be tailored to fit the specific context of the Chenchus.

What Hindered its Introduction

The biggest challenge in introducing the project was the geographic remoteness and the scattered nature of the Chenchu habitations. Many of their settlements were located on hilly, undulating plateau lands, making them difficult to access. Another major hindrance was the community’s reluctance to interact with outsiders, rooted in their indigenous culture and historical experiences of neglect. Moreover, infrastructural gaps in banking, postal services, education, and healthcare meant that implementing even basic services required extraordinary effort. The low stamina and vulnerability of the population also demanded modified work norms and incentives.

Process Followed for Implementation

The implementation began with the deployment of a dedicated team from the Department of Rural Development to conduct a detailed survey of Chenchu habitations. Based on their findings, the Government of Andhra Pradesh issued a special memo to create exclusive implementation arrangements. Three field offices were established across the region, each supported by two to three field teams comprising educated local youth who acted as Mates and Field Assistants. Chenchu Computer Centres were set up for digital tracking and coordination. Job cards were issued to 7709 households, covering over 17,000 wage seekers. SHGs and Village Organisations were engaged to identify appropriate works and ensure community participation. Wage payments were made in cash through the Village Organisations, with a 30-day muster validity and 30% special allowance included to accommodate the physical limitations of the workers.

Solutions Implemented

The project implemented a combination of employment-based and welfare-based solutions. First, consistent employment was guaranteed to every Chenchu family, with at least 15 days of work every month. Second, durable agricultural assets were created by enhancing Forest Rights Act (FRA) lands for cultivation. Third, a transformation was promoted from wage labourers to independent farmers by enabling the Chenchus to cultivate their own lands. Fourth, food security was ensured through a “food basket scheme” that provided 23–27 essential items to beneficiaries. Fifth, advance wage payments and 30% extra allowances were introduced to address the tribe’s vulnerability and lack of physical strength. Sixth, the community was given access to infrastructure like CCCs and transportation facilities for field staff to maintain service quality and reach.

Details of the Coverage

The project was implemented across 125 Chenchu habitations in 15 Tehsils covering the three districts of Prakasam, Nandyal (formerly part of Kurnool), and Palnadu (earlier part of Guntur). A total of 73 Gram Panchayats were covered. Of the 5649 job cards issued, over 11,000 Chenchu individuals are now active wage seekers benefiting from this program.

Innovation and Unique Features

Several innovations distinguish this project from standard MGNREGS implementations. A fixed 15-day monthly employment model was adopted to account for the tribe’s vulnerabilities. Advance cash payments were made through Chenchu Village Organisations to bypass banking delays. A special food basket was introduced to improve nutrition. CCCs were established for digital tracking and planning. Exclusive field teams equipped with vehicles ensured that even the most remote villages were covered. SHGs were empowered to propose and monitor works. Most notably, a 30% wage allowance was added to compensate for the harsh terrain and limited physical capacity of workers. Regular social audits were conducted in the villages to ensure transparency.

• New Approaches: Tech integration, capacity building, culturally sensitive methods
  • While high-end technology was not the focus due to connectivity issues, localised computer centres were used for administration and data management. Capacity building was achieved through the training of local youth as project facilitators. Cultural sensitivity was maintained by ensuring that all field staff came from the community or neighbouring areas, thus reducing resistance and building trust.
• Co-creation: How tribal knowledge or leadership shaped the solution
  • The community’s traditional leadership and collective decision-making mechanisms were respected. SHGs and Village Organisations played a pivotal role in identifying needs, approving projects through Gram Sabhas, and conducting audits. This participatory model ensured that interventions were rooted in the tribe’s lived experience.
• Any adaptations: How the project evolved during implementation
  • The project started with 10 days of employment and gradually increased to 15 days. Similarly, after observing the nutritional deficits and low stamina of the Chenchus, the food basket scheme and wage advances were introduced. In response to implementation challenges in rough terrains, the government authorized a 30% wage allowance. The administration remained flexible and responsive to feedback throughout the implementation period.

Challenges Faced Before Implementation

Internal challenges included resistance to change and the tribe’s reluctance to engage with outsiders. External challenges ranged from geographic inaccessibility and lack of banking infrastructure to absence of formal education and public services. These were mitigated through community engagement, localisation of staff, infrastructure investment, and flexible administrative protocols.

During implementation, the project faced difficulties in executing works in hard soil and hilly terrain, scattered habitations, and the lack of skilled workers. These were tackled by employing local youth, modifying work schedules, using four-wheelers for mobility, and decentralizing planning and auditing processes.

Outcomes

The project has led to the conversion of over 7000 acres into cultivable lands and the transformation of more than 2000 Chenchus into self-reliant farmers. Malnutrition and anaemia rates have significantly declined, with nearly 100% survival of children and mothers recorded in recent years. School enrolment has surged to 98%, and child marriages have drastically reduced. Migration has dropped to near zero. Social interactions have improved, and political participation has increased, with several Chenchus now serving as elected Sarpanches.

Monitoring was carried out through regular field visits, monthly standard tour programs, and mini social audits conducted at the village level. Muster rolls were verified on-site, and wages were disbursed publicly with receipts to maintain transparency.

The direct beneficiaries include 11,006 active wage seekers from 5649 job card-holding households. Indirectly, the entire Chenchu community—across education, agriculture, health, and social inclusion domains—has benefited from the program.

Policy Integration

• This project is deeply aligned with the objectives of MGNREGA, the Forest Rights Act, and tribal development policies. It has demonstrated successful integration of employment generation with food security and land development.
• The project has sustained operations since 2009, with a projected expansion budget of Rs. 1,500 Lakhs. The use of existing MGNREGS funds, coupled with cost-effective local mechanisms, ensures long-term viability.
• Given its success, the model is well-suited for replication across other states with PVTG populations. It offers a blueprint for inclusive rural development that is sensitive to local needs.

The Chenchu Special Project under MGNREGS in Andhra Pradesh stands as a powerful illustration of how adaptive governance, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement can transform the lives of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Initiated in 2009, this targeted intervention effectively addressed the long-standing issues of food insecurity, unemployment, malnutrition, and socio-political exclusion among the Chenchu tribe—one of the most marginalized communities residing in the remote Nallamala forest region.

Key elements of success included customized work norms such as a fixed 15-day monthly employment schedule, food basket schemes, and advance wage payments with a 30% allowance to accommodate the tribe’s specific challenges. The use of local human resources, infrastructure like Chenchu Computer Centres, and empowerment of SHGs and Village Organisations ensured both operational feasibility and community ownership. Over time, the project has achieved measurable outcomes: conversion of barren lands to cultivation, drastic reduction in migration, improved health and nutrition indicators, near-universal school enrollment, and increased political representation among the Chenchus .

This initiative echoes international best practices on inclusive development. According to the UNDP (2021), success in indigenous empowerment hinges on participatory planning, contextualised solutions, and recognition of community knowledge systems. Furthermore, India’s constitutional mandate under Article 46 emphasizes the promotion of the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Tribes—making projects like this not just desirable but essential for equitable growth (Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI, 2023).

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