TRIBE POPULATION

POPULATION The 2001 Census put the number 0
persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes in India at 84.: million, which was 8.20 per cent of the total population 0 the country. There were about 60 major tribal group: accounting for about 80 per cent of the total tribal popu lation of India in 1991. There were over 100 medium triba groups and 130 minor tribal groups. About 60 others werl numerically insignificant. The pattern of distribution of th. tribal groups was very uneven.

According to Census 2001, numerically, Schedulec Tribes were largest in Madhya Pradesh followed b) Maharashtra. Orissa, Rajasthan and Jharkhandheld third fourth, fifth positions respectively. The Scheduled Tribe~ formed the largest proportion of the total population ir, Lakshadweep, followed by Mizoram and Nagaland.

District-wise, the district of West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya had the highest percentage of ST population in 1991. There were about 30 districts where more than 75 per cent of the total population were scheduled tribes. Majority of such districts were in the North-Eastern states. Districts, such as Lahul and Spiti, the Dangs, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Jhabua and Lakshadweep had also about three-fourths of their population belonging to STs.

The decadal population growth between the census year 1981 to 1991 in respect of the tribal population has been higher (31.64 per cent) than that for the entire population (23.51 per cent), however, during census years 1991 to 2001 it has been 24.45 per cent against the growth rate of 22.66 per cent for the entire population. The ST population in the state of Karnataka has winessed highest growth rate of 80.82 per cent following by Nagaland (67.2: per cent). The lowest growth rate in respect of ST popu lation as per the 2001 census was recorded in Andamal and Nicobar Islands (10.08 per cent) followed by Himachc Pradesh (12.02 per cent).

As compared to the sex ratio for the overall populatio (933 females per 1000 male), the sex ratio among Schedule Tribes is more favourable, at 977 females per thousan males (2001 census). In all states except Andhra Pradesl Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal, the ST sex ratio as per 20C census was more women-favoured.

The literacy rate for overall population has increaSE from 52.2 per cent to 65.38 per cent between 1991 to 200 In case of Scheduled Tribes, the increase in literacy has bel from 29.62 per cent to 47.10 per cent. As per the 20