Lok Sabha Question No. 656 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-06
Subject: Protection of Birhor Community in Jharkhand
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO656

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 06/02/2025

## PROTECTION OF BIRHOR COMMUNITY IN JHARKHAND

## 656. SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  fact  that  the  Birhor  community,  a primitive tribe standing on the threshold of extinction, is facing the backlash of illegal coal mining in Jharkhand and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to save the lives of the tribe nearing extinction,  keeping  in  mind  that  Birhors  constitute  only  about  0.01  percent  of  the  total  tribal population of the country and their major concentration is in Jharkhand?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a) to (b): The Birhor community is listed as Scheduled Tribe at entry no. 7 in the Scheduled Tribes  list  of  Jharkhand.  The  Ministry  is  aware  that  there  are  certain  communities  within  the Scheduled Tribes, which are backward in terms of socio economic and educational parameters and their dwindling population. The Ministry has identified 75 such communities which are recognized as Particularly vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Birhor of Jharkhand State is one of such PVTG communities. For comprehensive development of tribals in general and PVTGs in particular the Ministry is implementing Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Nyaya Maha Abhiayn (PM-JANMAN).  The Government of India, on 15th November 2023, has launched Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)  for socio-economic development of 75  PVTG communities  residing  in  18  states  and  one  UT  including  Jharkhand.  The  PVTG  communities remained outside the coverage of Government Schemes, hitherto, due to geographical isolation, tough & difficult approach and due to various other reasons. The PM-JANMAN is implemented with  the  objective  to  provide  basic  facilities  such  as  safe  housing,  clean  drinking  water  and improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of  unelectrified  households  and  sustainable  livelihood  opportunities  in  3  years  by  relaxing schematic norms. The Mission is being implemented in 18 states and one UT including Jharkhand. These objectives are being met through 11 interventions implemented by 9-line Ministries.

Subsequently, the Government of India has launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan on 2nd October, 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of 25 interventions implemented by 17line  Ministries  and  aims  to  saturate  infrastructural  gaps  in  63,843  villages,  improve  access  to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and providing livelihood opportunities in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs, including Jharkhand, in 5 years for welfare of Schedule Tribes. Each concerned Ministry has been allocated budget and targets under Abhiyan and responsible for implementing the intervention assigned to it.

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