Covid-19 infections being reported among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

Covid-19 infections being reported among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health

In news

• Covid-19 infections are being reported among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Odisha

Key takeaways

• As many as 21 tribals across eight different PVTGs in the State have so far tested positive, including two from the Bonda tribe.
• Bonda people live in the highlands of Malkangiri.
• Members of Dongria Kondh, another PVTG, have tested positive in Rayagada district.

Do you know?

• Odisha has among the largest and most diverse tribal populations in the country.
• Of the 62 tribal groups residing in Odisha, 13 are recognised as PVTGs.
• According to the 2011 Census, Odisha’s share of the country’s total tribal population was 9%.
• Tribals constitute 22.85% of the State’s population.
• PVTGs in the states: Bonda, Birhor, Chuktia Bhunjia, Didayi, Dongaria Kandha, Hill Kharia, Juang, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankirdia, Paudi Bhuyan and Saora.
• These PVTGs have been identified on the basis of stagnant or diminishing populations, subsistence level of economy associated with pre-agricultural stages of hunting, food gathering and shifting cultivation, and relative physical isolation.