Top 6 NGOs Committed to Tribal Welfare in India

India is home to the most diverse populace with each community bringing its culture to the table. Even though India has reached new heights in their development goals, there are still many indigenous tribes operating in today’s modern age. Many of these tribes are extremely backward in their operations and have no contact with modern society and its culture. The Indian government looks to protect these tribes and allow them to operate harmoniously without any interference and in coherence with the rest of the country.

Importance of Tribal Welfare in India

Since most of the Indigenous tribes in India have no connection to modern society, they are operating in extremely backward settings because of which they face many problems such as:

1. High poverty
2. Illiteracy
3. Lack of infrastructure.
4. Lack of basic services
5. Lack of education and healthcare.

According to the 2011 census, around 100 million people in India belong to the tribal population. The same census showed that the literacy rate amongst tribes is 59.5% as compared to the national literacy rate of 74.4%. This indicates higher poverty levels amongst tribal populations.  There are many NGOs, NPOs and governmental institutions working to better the lives of these tribes and induce harmonious and integrated growth. 

Role of NGOs in Tribal Welfare and Development

The development and welfare of tribal communities in India have become an important task towards our sustainability goals. NGOs and NPOs play an important role in aiding the process of sustainability in the following ways:

1. Setting up educational facilities.
2. Providing healthcare.
3. Conservation of indigenous culture through research and preservation programs.
4. Fighting for tribal rights and advocacy.
5. Monetary support and economic development.
6. Building infrastructure and achieving sustainable development.

Top 6 NGOs Committed to Tribal Welfare in India

1. TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India)

About: TRIFED is an NGO that focuses on the economic development of endogenous tribes. Their marketing initiatives enable tribes to sell their products in the market to achieve economic stability.

Core Mission: Providing economic opportunities and enhancing the economic stability of tribal communities.

Key Programs: Tribes usually manufacture various products from arts and crafts to creams and even certain alcoholic beverages. Selling these products in the market provides the tribes with certain economic opportunities. TRIFED provides its marketing expertise to connect the tribes to the rest of the country. They also indulge in the skill development of tribal communities and work on supply chain development for tapping into bigger market spaces.

Impact: TRIFED has aided in the economic development of tribal communities. Supporting cultural integrity and providing economic opportunities to these communities.

2. Adivasi Foundation

About: The Adivasi Foundation finds its interest in building the socio-economic structure of tribal areas through initiatives in education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

Core Mission: The core mission is to improve the socio-economic condition of the tribes.

Key Programs: The Adivasi Foundation looks to aid tribes through the provision of educational facilities, and scholarships and build the infrastructure in tribal areas. The provision of healthcare facilities and awareness campaigns can educate and promote wellness amongst tribal groups. The NGO also looks to provide economic development opportunities.

Impact:

1. Improved Healthcare
2. Enhancing the skill development and education of tribal kids has improved their opportunities.
3. Economic empowerment.

3. The Tribal Health Initiative

About: This initiative specifically focuses on tribal healthcare.

Core Mission: To better the state of healthcare amongst tribal communities.

Key Programs: Some of the key programs initiated by the tribal health initiative are as follows:

1. Organizing health camps.
2. Providing medical assistance in remote regions.
3. Spreading awareness campaigns on healthcare and hygiene.
4. Relief and disease management.

Impact: Due to the undying efforts of the tribal health initiative the health outcomes have improved coupled with a higher sense of awareness through community engagement.

4. The Centre for Tribal and Rural Development (CTRD)

About: The CTRD provides a more holistic approach to the development of tribal communities.

Core Mission: The main objective of the CTRD is to induce sustainable development amongst tribal groups.

Key Programs:

1. Sanitation Programmes.
2. Healthcare initiatives such as setting up of hospitals and medical centres.
3. Education facilities and infrastructure development.
4. Economic development Programmes.

Impact: The CTRD has heavily improved the lives of tribal communities through their healthcare initiatives. Their education programs and awareness campaigns have managed to build the community and make them more resilient. Their economic opportunities have introduced these tribes to the modern world.

5. Gram Vikas

About: The Gram Vikas initiative works mainly towards the development of tribal communities. 

Core Mission: The core mission of this NGO is to induce development through infrastructure provision, education and better healthcare.

Key Programs:

1. Educational facilities.
2. Better healthcare initiatives.
3. Provision of work and livelihood for economic development.

Impact:

1. Their sanitation programs have helped greatly as the spread of disease has been curbed through better hygiene.
2. The education programs and awareness programs have been greatly influential in building the community.

6. Vanangana

About: This is an NGO that works towards the empowerment of women and protection of children within tribal settlements.

Core Mission: Protect the women and children from discrimination and provide them with initiatives that will induce empowerment.  

Key Programs:

1. Providing legal and financial support to women and children who might be victims of violence and other forms of oppression.
2. Education programs for children and skill development programs for women.
3. Community development activities and preservation of cultural beliefs.

Impact:

1. Improved welfare of women and children.
2. Improved opportunities through education and awareness programs.

How to Participate in These NGO Activities?

Helping such NGOs is our civic duty as citizens of this country and hence we can indulge in such activities in the following manner:

1. Provide philanthropic support in monetary terms by providing infrastructure.
2. Carry out CSR activities that involve tribal welfare or collaborate with these NGOs.
3. Depending on your skillset you can apply for volunteering work at the NGOs.
4. Indulge in research and provide solutions to existing issues.

Related Blog: How Can Students Contribute to Society? 5 Actionable Ideas to Make a Difference

FAQs About NGOs Committed to Tribal Welfare in India

Q1. How do NGOs support tribal communities?

NGOs can help in the following ways:

1. Set up education programmes
2. Provide healthcare facilities
3. Conduct research and try to preserve their culture.
4. Indulging in economic development.
5. Awareness creation and advocacy.

Q2. How can I volunteer with NGOs that work for tribal welfare?

You can contact the NGO directly, apply through some source, or visit their website and look for volunteer programmes.

Q3. What are some key issues faced by tribal communities in India?

1. Lack of resources.
2. Lack of education.
3. Lack of healthcare.
4. No infrastructure.
5. No basic services are available.
6. Social discrimination.
7. displacement from the land for development projects to be set up.

Q4. What are the challenges faced by NGOs working in tribal areas?

Some of the main challenges are:

1. Language barrier.
2. Cultural barrier.
3. Difficult terrain or climatic conditions.
4. Lack of basic infrastructure like cellular signal, internet, roads, and transportation.
5. No concept of money and limited resources.

Q5. How can I donate to NGOs working for tribal welfare?

People can donate by contacting the NGO directly, visiting their official websites or visiting other donation websites.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to protect the interests and culture of these Indigenous tribes as the Government and other NGOs and NPOs induce harmonious growth within the economy by eradicating oppression against these tribes and introducing them to modern societal practices and infrastructure.

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