A STUDY OF KAADAR TRIBE IN VAALPAARAI · A Study of Kaadar Tribe in Vaalpaarai . A study done under...

SPONSORED BY

STATE PLANNING COMMISSION,

TAMIL NADU

STUDY CONDUCTED BY

REEDA (Rural Educational and Economic

Development Association) 141, Avvai shanmugam Salai,

Gopalapuram, Chennai. Ph. 044-28111023

[email protected]

A STUDY OF KAADAR TRIBE IN VAALPAARAI

A Study of Kaadar Tribe in Vaalpaarai

A study done under the ageis of State Planning Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu, to gauge

the Educational standards, income and make appropriate recommendations for providing at

least one entrepreneurship activity to each of those families of Kaadar, which is dwindling down

drastically over the years

i

TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENTS i

LIST OF TABLES iii

LIST OF FIGURES iii

CHAPTER – I

INTRODUCTION 1

KAADAR IN TAMIL NADU 1

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION 2

KAADAR PATHIES– LOCATION DISADVANTAGES 4

CHAPTER – II

INTRODUCTION 6

PEOPLE OF ANAMALAIS 6

KADARS 7

POPULATION STATUS OF HILL PEOPLE 8

EDUCATION STATUS 9

HEALTH STATUS 10

EMPLOYMENT STATUS 10

CHAPTER – III

AIM OF THE RESEARCH 12

OBJECTIVES 12

METHODOLOGY OF STUDY 13

SAMPLING 14

DATA COLLECTION PERIOD 15

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY 15

CHAPTERIZATION 15

ii

CHAPTER – IV

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 16-23

CHAPTER – V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS 24-25

POTENTIALS 24

VULNERABILITIES 25

RECOMMENDATIONS 26-30

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VAALPAARAI KAADAR 27

OTHER FEASIBILITY FOR JOBS FOR KAADAR AND OTHER TRIBES 28

ONE JOB FOR EACH KAADAR FAMILY 28

SUGGESTIONS 31-32

PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY CARE 31

0-5 YEARS CHILD CARE CENTERS 32

ANNEXURES 33-39

ANNEXURE I 33-36

QUESTIONNAIRE 1 33

QUESTIONNAIRE 2 35

ANNEXURE II 37-39

SUB-GROUP WISE ST POPULATION 37

APPENDIX

IMAGES 40-43

REFERENCES 44

iii

LIST OF TABLES

Sl.No. Title P.No.

1 Tribes with population of less than 700 2

2 Population status of Hill people 9

LIST OF FIGURES

Sl.No. Title P.No.

1 Pathies on the Sample Data 16

2 Death Proportion at Pathies 17

3 Proportion of Children in the Families 18

4 Education of Male and Female 19

5 Education of Male 20

6 Education of Female 21

7 Monthly Income of Families 22

8 Laborers Participation in kind of Work 23

CHAPTER – I

INTRODUCTION

1

CHAPTER - I

INTRODUCTION

Tribes in Tamil Nadu constitute hardly 1% of the total population. Therefore

political sensitivity towards Tribes has taken a backseat. Besides the political

space, development discourses on Tribal growth have picked up only recently.

A replete of Anthropological studies, though is available. This study attempts a

deviation from this trend to study the potentials and possibilities for growth of

Tribes in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu can proudly claim to have pioneered Tribal Education since

Independence. Large numbers of Tribal Residential schools were established

since the 1950s. However higher education is reaching these Tribes only

recently. In order to converge tribal growth in higher education, more focused

schemes need to be launched. With this intention a micro level study of one

small tribal community, viz. Kaadar has been identified by the project

proponents.

KAADAR IN TAMIL NADU

Tamil Nadu is home to 36 Scheduled Tribes (See Annexure II). Tribes in Tamil

Nadu are scattered across Tamil Nadu. Much of the concentration occurs in

terms of number of distinct tribes in Western Ghats and in terms of population

size in Broken Hills of Eastern Ghats and adjoining plains. Tribal Population in

Tamil Nadu is small, compared to other states, i.e., less than 1% of the total

population in the state. Out of the 36 Schedule Tribes, 13 tribes have less than

700 persons. The table below lists the 13 tribes with less than 700 persons, in

the order of least to the highest. Kaadar, as per census 2011, has a population of

just 475.

2

Table No. 01

Tribes with population of less than 700

S. No. Name of the Tribe Population

1 KochuVelan 7

2 Kudiya, Melakudi 66

3 MahaMalasar 77

4 Koraga 106

5 Aranadan 138

6 MalaiArayan 172

7 Malaya Kandi 210

8 Mannan 277

9 Pallayan 256

10 Kota (Kothar) 310

11 Muthuvan 385

12 Konda kapus 521

13 Kaadar 650

Total 3175

Source: Census of India 2011.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

There are three groups of Kadar living in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Kadar

who use the Kadar language live primarily in the hill-forests of Vaalpaarai

Taluk and Aanamalai Hills of Pollachi, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu; and Palakkad

and Thrissur hills, Kerala. A second group lives in Wayanad District and use

Malayalam.

3

A third Kadar (Kadir) group is in Tiruchirapalli and Tanjavur districts. The

latter two groups have nothing in common with those living on the hills of

Western Ghats.

In Tamil Nadu, in Western Ghats, Kadar are found living in Aanaimalai Hills in

Vaalparai Taluk, Coimbatore District. Along with Kaadars, there are the other

tribals (lowly in numbers) viz., 1. Muduvaar 2. Eravaalar 3. Malasar

(Mahamalasar) are the other ancient Tribes living in Vaalpaarai forests from

time immemorial.

Deforestation of the thick forests started a decade earlier to 1900 and continued

for four to five decades. Trees were felled for providing rail-sleepers for the

department of railways, through the sub-continent (India – both colonial British

Raj and Independent India). Over 20,000 acres of forests were cleared and

turned into Tea Estates. As of now 50 Tea Gardens exist (See Annexure for

more details).

4

Victims of Encroachment: After the enactment of 1880 Forest Act the

Tribes in forests were settled in gjp (Settlements). However, legal rights

were not conferred to them in proper deeds and even if done not honored in

good faith. No development inputs were taken to their doors to either

cultivate the lands provided to them or market their produce. Roads to

habitations are still a far cry. Drinking water, sanitation, electricity,

education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities have not reached these

tribals in satisfactory measures.

KAADAR PATHIES – LOCATIONAL DISADVANTAGES:

Kaadars live in the following habitations, most of them requiring at least one

hour walk from the town and at least half an hour to 45 minutes from the fringe

of Tea-estates until where road passage is

available.

All the Six Kaadar tribal settlements are

located in deep forests declared as

sanctuaries and therefore deprived of

normal roadways for travel and transport.

A cursory look at 2 of the 6-Kaadars

settlements give a glimpse of locational

disadvantages faced by Kaadars in terms

of accessing services such as education,

health, banks, transportation, etc.

Nedungundram: 9-kms away from main

town or 5-kms away from any of the Vaalpaarai neighborhood villages; From

the village one has to walk through the forests at least 4-kms, through (tea)

estate pathways, meandering through the bushes, before reaching a regular bus

5

road. Another 5-kms to reach any primary health care is available at Vaalpaarai.

Any emergency need for critical care, they need to set on another long road

(bus/motor) journey to Pollachi.

Udumanpaarai: One hour of steep climbing from the village/hamlet proper,

almost 3-kms through rubble pathways and another 2-kms of walk through

estate pathways, and then another 6 kms to reach Vaalpaarai and Pollachi; There

is a history of a tribal lady walking for over 8 hours during her full pregnancy to

reach the nearest hospital where she delivered on arrival. In such a tribal context

‘108’ ambulance service in its present form of a four wheeler cannot come

handy, since they cannot access habitation. Moreover no mode of transport is

safe for a mother in labor when it’s going to be a long and bumpy ride.

Therefore, schemes appropriate to tribals needs to be conceived.

Eethakuzhy: About 6-kms away from the main town Vaalpaarai and other

neighbourhood villages; one can take a vehicle upto 5-kms and then walk deep

into the estates and forest terrain for another 1-kms

Erumaipaarai: About a km from Top Slip Tourist spot by the side of the road

at the entrance of the forest range in the neighborhoods.

Kallaar, About 7-kms, from Valpaarai town, 4-kms can be covered on the

roadside and forest path and climb up another 3-kms through hillock ranges,

amidst the valley dividing Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Kavarkal: About 3kms from the town-Vaalpaarai and this is the only Kaadar

settlement which is accessible by road as it is adjacent to the main road, as we

climb down from Vaalpaarai towards Pollachi.

CHAPTER – II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

6

CHAPTER – II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

INTRODUCTION

The second chapter consists and explains the available literature that is related

to Kaadar People, and this literature review shows the detailed data of Anamalai

people. Under this Literature can know about the Kaadar Tribe’s Population in

Anamalai, Educational Status, Health status and Employment status of

Anamalai.

Sekar. T (2003) elaborates about Kaadar Tribe in his traced book Forest

History of Anamalais, Tamil Nadu. He explains about,

PEOPLE OF ANAMALAIS

Anamalais, known for its biodiversity is also rich in anthropological diversity.

With five scheduled tribe groups out of the 36 different tribal communities

listed by the Tamil Nadu Government and one scheduled caste community

living in 36 different settlements in the sanctuary limit, Anamalais can rightly

be described as the 'anthropological reserve' of the state.

The indigenous groups living in Anamalais are the Kaadar, Malasar,

Malaimalasar, Pulaiyar, Muduvar and Eravalar. Of these, the Eravalar constitute

but a small minority generally restricted to foothills. The other hill tribes in

contrast are spread out in different settlements, distributed over one or more

ranges of the division. Each settlement or 'Pathy' as it is referred to consists of a

group often or more huts, huddled together on the banks of a stream or an open

glade within the forest. The huts are generally built of bamboo, the walls and

roofs are thatched with grass and reed leaves. Anthropologists consider that

7

apart from the Kadar who has certain Australoid features, the rest of the hill

tribes in the Anaimalais are for racial purposes indistinguishable from the

plainsmen in the adjoining areas. The present differences in the social customs

and the manners between the plainsmen and the tribes are believed to be the

result of long period of isolation in the hills and due to the changes accrued in

each community during the space of time. An anthropological account of the

hill dwelling communities of Anamalais is provided here under.

KADARS The Kaadars are the most' primitive of the hill tribes in the Anamalais.

They are short in stature, dark skinned with flat noses, and slightly thicker lips

than those of the other hill tribes. A small percentage of Kaadars exhibit frizzly

hair, a characteristic that has led some anthropologists to affiliate them with the

aboriginal tribes of Australia.

Each Kadar settlement has a headman or Mooppan who is the chief of the

settlement in matters of all disputes and is their spokesman to officers of the

Government. The Kaadars are nomadic in nature and keep constantly shifting.

They lived by hunting and collecting forest produce. Their wild diet includes

succulent roots, bamboo seeds, mealy portion of seeds of Cycas, sago palm

(Caryota urens). It is described that they eat deer, porcupine, field rat, monkey,

python etc. in addition to sheep and fowl.

The Kaadars have a curious habit of chipping the incisor teeth to the

shape of cone as they reach adolescence. 'It is said to be a painful operation, but

gone through by every boy and girl with an eye to aesthetics. The Kaadars

speak Tamil of a poor type, which has an admixture of Malayalam. Their

marriage customs are similar to those of the Malasars. Adults only marry and by

mutual consent. The family ties of the Kaadars are well developed.

8

The Kaadars worship dead

ancestors in times of illness and

before auspicious undertakings.

They consider themselves to be

superior to the Malasars. The

primary occupation .of the Kadar is

collection of forest produce. Being

expert tree and rock climbers, even climbing lofty trees over 30 m with clear

boles and few branches and precipitous rocks at ease, they were profitably

utilized in collecting MFP, particularly honey. They had little knowledge of

cultivation but formed the chief labor force for weeding, cultural operations,

collection of bamboos and reeds in former days.

POPULATION STATUS OF HILL PEOPLE

With the changes in the priorities of forest management and modifications

brought into their working, the avenues of avocation for the tribal in the forestry

sector have really shrunk in the last 10 years or so. Therefore, their forest

dependant life style and pattern of living are also undergoing invisible shifts in

recent times. They are gradually moving towards land based activities with

focus on 'settled agriculture'. Thus, the tribal settlements within the sanctuary

have begun to be more or less permanent entities unlike in the past. A recent

survey of the tribal population here provides an insight to community wise

demography of the Anamalais. Pulayar is the dominant community followed by

Malasars.

9

Table No. 02

Source: From Wilson, (1973) Working Plan for the Coimbatore South Division

(1st April 1965 – 31st March 1975)

EDUCATION STATUS

The tribal groups on Anamalais, like elsewhere in the country are seen to be

considerably away from the infrastructure for education. As it is widely

recognized that literacy among tribal would prevent them from being used by

those plundering forest wealth, the Department is taking all efforts to enroll

more children from the tribal settlements in the Adi-dravidar and tribal.

Residential schools run by the state Adi-dravida and Tribal Welfare

Department. It is part of the 'catalytic role' of the Department to bring the tribal

population to the mainstream. All the territorial rangers viz., Pollachi, Ulandy,

Manambolly, Valparai, Udumalpet and Amaravathy took up this enrolment

drive during the academic year 2001-02 and liased with the Adi dravida and

Tribal welfare department in getting the tribal children registered in the nearby

schools and accommodation in the boarding hostels run for the tribal. With the

initiative by the Department, about 794 children are attending to schools from

all these settlements. The enrolment drive launched by the Department has led

to 35 percent increase from 179 children to 237 joining schools during 2001-02

compared to previous years in Pollachi, Manambolly and Ulandy Ranges alone.

10

A similar rate of increase has been reported from other ranges also. In the

primary school run by the Forest Department at Top slip, present student

strength is 72 against 15 during 1959 when the school was started. Several

facilities have been provided to the school students through various agencies

under Sarvasiksha Abiyan Scheme (SSA) Schools have been opened at

Sarkarpathi and Udumalpet areas. Proposals have been sent to District

Collector, Coimbatore for opening of five new tribal schools near the

settlements where there are dropouts under the age group of 6 to 14 years.

Proposals are also under consideration for appointment of educated tribal girls

as teachers in co-ordination with the district administration.

HEALTH STATUS

Due to the remoteness of the area, the tribal do not have basic medical facility in

their area. Much attention is being paid for the health care of tribal in the

sanctuary. A dispensary is being run by the Forest Department at Top Slip for

the benefit of tribal from the settlements around. Medical camps are conducted

frequently in different locations for the benefit of tribal. During the year 2001-

2002 multi speciality and general mega medical camps were conducted at

Topslip, Kulipatty, Sarkarpathy areas in coordination with the district

administration, district health authorities and corporate health houses. Tribal,

numbering about 1500 were given free medical check up and medicines

distributed free of cost. Some of the tribal who were screened for eye problem

and TB were taken for further treatment.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

From the status of nomadic hunter - gatherer, the ethnic communities in

Anamalais have moved further to a settled way of life due to allotment of

certain forest areas for cultivation. Though the hill people of Anamalais have

almost settled down to agriculture and animal husbandry, dependence on rains

11

and the threat to crops and livestock trorn wildlife don't allow a wholesome

livelihood security for them. Prior to the declaration of the sanctuary, tribal

were employed in various forestry operations like timber harvesting, bamboo

harvesting, minor forest produce collection and grazing the. Cattle of plains,

forest regeneration activities which provided them gainful employment

throughout. The year. In recent times, they are experiencing hardships due to

stoppage of timber; minor forest produces collection and regeneration activities.

MFP collection which was hitherto permitted in the Pollachi peripheral area to

Sarkarpathy tribal society was stopped in 2000.

CHAPTER – III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

12

CHAPTER -III

RESEARCH METHODLOGY

AIM

The Aim of the study is “To identify the Kaadar families in Vaalparai region and

assess their vulnerability for their present position as well as their potential for

future growth”.

OBJECTIVES

This project envisages making a holistic study of the life-style of one of the 13

Tamil Nadu Tribes with less than 700 populations each. Kaadars (Population

469/ 168 families – as mentioned in the table II on “Kaadar Population in

Vaalpaarai” ) live in the deep forests of Vaalpaarai revenue division.

The Derivatives of the study will be:

a) To prepare a family card for every one of the families of the tribe

indicating the educational standards and income.

b) To make recommendations for processing respective age group

population with compatible schooling and higher education.

1. 100% schooling up to 12th standard

2. 100% mobility of 12th standard students to colleges will be the

set goals.

c) To make appropriate recommendations for providing one

entrepreneurship activity for each of these families.

Since, Kaadar demography is very limited, the possibility of preparing a

family card, detailing members of the family and their educational and

economic status was within the means of this small project. The project

13

coordinators firmly believed in the capability of engaging Kaadar youth

themselves in the study, also in the hope of introducing them in a small way to

democratic functioning of self-assessment and self-determination.

The objective is firmly rooted in the belief that higher education and material

advancement are the key stepping- stones for Tribes entry into Modern growth.

The objectives also are reflective of the faith imposed on the Tribes innate

potentials to adapt and grow. The report also aims at narrowing down to select

vulnerabilities which are external impositions constricting the scope of Tribes

participation is word by pursuits.

METHODOLOGY OF STUDY A mixed method, involving rapid ethnographic, quantitative and second data

review, was utilized. The team visited the hamlets inhabited by Kaadar, both for

ethnographic data collection and household interviews. Audio recording of few

discussions and photographs were used to record field information. A

structured interview schedule was used to collect information from the

households.

The team gained understanding during the visits and iterated research

questions to obtain clarity. The ethnographic information was useful in

understanding the context and explaining the quantitative data collected.

Dr. R.Christodas Gandhi I.A.S (Retd. Additional Chief Secretary &

Development Commissioner, Goverbnent of Tamil Nadu) and Fr. K.John

Kumar S.J, Director, Social Watch – Tamil Nadu, assisted by Ms. Pavithra,

Research Scholar in International Institute of Tamil Studies (a native of

Vaalpaarai) and ten youth from the (pathis–‘gjpfs;’) Kadar settlements – as a

team visited and surveyed these habitations. Name of the habitations

visited/surveyed are as follows:

1. Nedunkundram,

14

2. Udumanpaarai,

3. Eethakuzhy,

4. Erumaipaarai,

5.Kallaar,

6. Kavarkal

The field study team, identified as interviewers and engaged during the

survey, i.e., nine Kaadar youth and one Malasar youth. All the interviewers

were given training on how to conduct interview using printed interview

schedules. The trained team completed surveying all the households of all

Kaadar settlements. The completed forms were collected and sent to Chennai.

Interns from Department of Statistics, Loyola College, created the data base,

entered the data from filled in forms, carried out data cleaning, generated tables

and prepared the charts.

In addition, discussions with Collector, Sub Collector, Tea Board Executives,

Director of Tea Estate Association, local NGOs and Assistant Professors of the

local Arts and Science college teachers (a unit college of Bharathidasan

University) were held on different dates.

SAMPLING Since all the Kaadar tribe individuals and families from all the Kaadar

settlements (pathis –‘gjpfs;’), have been covered, sampling method was

not necessary; the total universe of Kaadar population (living in

Vaalpaarai territory) have been covered in the study.

DATA COLLECTION PERIOD

The Researcher collected the data from 180 families in Nedunkundram,

Udumanpaarai, Eethakuzhy, Erumaipaarai, Kallaar, Kavarkal

Habitations, Valparai Taluk, Coimbatore District. The data has been

collected from during 2016.

15

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This research is limited to families of Kaadar Tribes in Nedunkundram,

Udumanpaarai, Eethakuzhy, Erumaipaarai, Kallaar, Kavarkal habitations,

Valparai Taluk, Coimbatore District only, not applicable to any other

Block or District.

This research is only focused on Kaadar Tribes, not any other Tribes.

CHAPTERIZATION

Chapter -I Introduction

Chapter –II Review of Literature

Chapter- III Research Methodology

Chapter –IV Analysis and Interpretation

Chapter- V Conclusion and Suggestion

CHAPTER – IV

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

16

CHAPTER – IV

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION INTRODUCTION:

The data collected by researcher are analyzed and interpreted by various graphs

and pie-charts. This chapter gives the analysis and interpretation of a study of

Kaadar Tribe in Vaalpaarai Taluk, Coimbatore District. And this chapter also

describes the major objectives of this research study, that is Pathies on the

Sample data, Death proportion at Pathies, Proportion of Children in the

Families, Education of Male and Female, and Monthly wages of Family.

Figure No. 01

INTERPRETATION

The data collected are from 6 different Pathies (Settlements).

The maximum no. of respondents (70) is from Nedungkundram pathy.

The least no. of respondents (8) is from Ethakkuli.

17

Figure No. 02

INTERPRETATION

70% of the Kaadar families have both Husbands and Wives alive.

26% of Kaadar families suffer the loss of husbands which is 1/4th of the

collected sample data. It may indicate an alarming sign which needs

further investigation..

3.5% of Kaadar families suffer the loss of wives of the collected samples.

Further, the difference of loss of husbands over wives is 23% which is 6.6

times more than the loss of wives from the family.

18

Figure No. 03

INTERPRETATION

25% of Kaadar tribal-households who were respondents are childless. In

other words, 1/4th of the sample population (respondent families) may be

extinct in next few generations which calls for an immediate action.

Moreover, there can be further scope of research on the above issues.

25%, 32% and 16% of families are having one child, 2 children and 3

children respectively.

3% of families have 4 children in their families

19

Figure No. 04

INTERPRETATION

37-46 % (Male-Female %) of male and female are non-literates. In other

words, almost half of the population is non-literate.

There is 9% difference of non-literacy between male and female. In other

words, a female has 9% more chance of being a non-literate than a male.

19-27% of male and female could afford to get education till 5th

standard. There may be some reasons that after 5th the no. of drop out

increases which can be further analyzed.

7-9% of 10th std and 2-5% of 12th std become dropouts respectively.

20

Figure No. 05

INTERPRETATION

37% of males are non-literate.

27% and 9% of males could manage to study till 5th and 10th standards.

21

Figure No. 06

INTERPRETATION

46% of females are non-literate.

19% have studied till 5th standard.

7% and 5% have passed 10th and 12th standards.

A very few of them have completed BA and B.Sc.

22

Figure No. 07

INTERPRETATION

48% of the Kaadar families earn between Rs.2000-5000/-per month.

31% of the Kaadar families earn between Rs.1000-2000/-per month.

79% of families earn between Rs.1000-5000/-per month.

Further, the data indicates that 90% of Kaadar families earn below

Rs.5000/-per month.

10% of families earn more than Rs.5000/-per month.

11% of families still earn less than Rs.1000/-per month.

The data shows extreme poverty in Kaadar families.

23

Figure No. 08

INTERPRETATION

82% are Non-farm labourers.

18% are farm labourers.

CHAPTER – V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

24

CHAPTER – V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

FINDINGS

POTENTIALS

1. In spite of an over a half a century relegation the Kaadars have shown

extraordinary grit and determination to survive

2. In the last decade or so Kaadars have displayed a lot of application of

mind and willingness to partake in the development measures that have

come around them. They have readily sent their kids for elementary

education in tribal residential school located far away in Vaalpaarai.

Similarly they are now accessing college education not only in the

Barathiyar college in Vaalpaarai but also in far away colleges like Bishop

Heber and Baradhidasan University in Trichy.

3. Kaadar students sent to polytechnic in Bodi in Theni district have shown

excellent sports skills by leading the polytechnic foot ball team.

4. Young ladies are coming forward to do community work. These ladies

are robust enough to climb on trees to pluck peppers from creepers, a

strenuous task indeed in deep woods.

25

VULNERABILITIES

1. The artificially imposed seclusion for over six/seven decades has made

these Kaadars alienated from contemporary growth.

2. Decades of denial of basic as well as higher education has deprived

Kaadars from acquiring necessary academic qualification.

3. The negation of regular jobs by the estates who form the geographical

barrier between Kaadar habitation and the open world, has made almost

all Kaadar families impoverished

4. The control still being exercised by the Forest Department over the minor

forest produce, which is a sovereign right of the tribes, have made these

tribes wary of government authorities. This imperilment and existed

control over by the tribal population has made them more and more

impoverished.

5. Denial of education and livelihood opportunities added to the control

exercised on their free movement has taken a toll on their spirit of

enterprise in pursuit of employment.

The report strives to establish that there is nothing innately lacking in the

intellectual acumen of tribes as well as their societal perspectives to enter

modernity which however have not been given the scope for development by

external agencies. The report strikes at the path of identifying vulnerabilities not

as qualities inherent in the Tribes but as external circumstances that pose them

barriers or instruments that aim not at development but only palliatives.

RECOMMENDATIONS

26

RECOMMENDATIONS For a change we are presenting the project report with our

recommendation in the beginning itself. Before we come to specifics of

Vaalpaarai we would like to share a few general observations on Tribal

Interventions and Administration based on our experience in Vaalpaarai.

1. Tribal interventions cannot be made purposeful on a common logic or on

a uniform format.

2. Fruitful interventions will be possible only if made micro specific.

Different modules in different measures depending on local conditions

will be ideal.

3. Government machinery meant for tribals should be located in tribal areas

only. Habitation or block level officials will deliver better. Appointment

of functionaries as introduced in Kerala Attapadi from amongst the local

tribal communities should be emulated. At least one functionary for every

300 population should be appointed.

4. The so called mainstream concepts and programs should not be

automatically extended to the tribes. Many a times they will be misfits.

Local specific independent solutions should be evolved. There is a huge

disconnect between tribes and the officialdom. The official interface

should do much better by way of encouraging the entrepreneurial skills of

and efflorescence of their mental capabilities.

5. Government should hold a quarterly training program for all the members

of the divisional and district forest rights committee. In order to

implement in letter and spirit the provision of the 2006 tribal forest rights

act.

6. Only a few development programs have reached the tribes. Schooling,

drinking water, sanitation and roads still remain a far cry.

27

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VAALPARAI KAADAR

1. Though Kaadars are a small pocketful of population (179 families) it will

require a very dedicated machinery to introduce development perspectives

and schemes since all six Kaadar habitations of (Nedungkundram,

Udumanpaarai, Erumaipaarai, Kavarkal, Kallar, Ethakkuli) are deeply

entrenched in RF(Reserved forests) limits with no normal access roads or

transports. They are also located far and few.

2. Therefore it is recommended that as it’s made in Attappaadi, Kerala at least

three community organizers (one for two habitations) should be appointed

from amongst the Kaadar graduates.

3. Though there are sufficient primary to higher secondary schools at

Vaalpaarai, there is compelling need to arrange for preschool and primary

school systems at each one of these habitations. This will require very

original thinking to formulate a schooling pattern that can integrate both

the preschool and primary school children as well as their parents and

elders

4. We recommend a conception of such a centre which will cater to as little as

7 children to a maximum of 30 children

5. The centre should be designed sufficiently in keeping with the green

environment around. The centre should be used for community gathering

too. Feeding of children, play school amenities for children from 0 to 10

age group, pregnancy mother care, sanitation, adult education in addition to

one to five standard schooling should be built into this composite complex.

A building in the scale of indoor stadium should be ideal.

6. Beyond the 5th standard, the residential schools in Vaalpaarai (Both Private

and Public sector) can cater to the needs of school education up to 12th

standard.

28

OTHER FEASIBILITY FOR JOBS FOR KAADAR AND OTHER

TRIBES

Invariably the tribal settlements lie abutting the estates. The estates have

mandates on them to take care of these native tribes whose lands have been

transferred to them by the policies of the government. Human- right claims on

these estates can be very well be made for the reparation of livelihood losses

caused by decades of disabilities to free movements as well as deprivation of

forest wealth to the native tribes

At present only two Kaadar ladies manage to go to college. There is a

perfect possibility of every one of the Kaadars students completing +2 to

graduate into degrees – thanks to the Post Metric Scholarship scheme which

extends full support to higher studies in self financing colleges too. Yet another

task of the community organizer should be to compile a data bank of all Kaadar

students of +2 so that they can mentor everyone of them to higher education.

The Barathiyar College in Vaalpaarai is a blessing to all Vaalpaarai tribes. The

first of the Kaadar graduate women namely Murugaeswari of Nedunkundaram

can be absorbed as the community organizer for a period of five years on a

nominal honorarium of about Rs.15000 per month.

ONE JOB FOR EACH KAADAR FAMILY

The 179 Kaadar families could be grouped into three categories viz

i. First Category: Families consisting of a sole single aged-individual

or only an aged couple. Age limit can be fixed at 50 and above

ii. Second Category: Families consisting of youth above 20 years of age

(of both genders) who have not crossed +2 standard

iii. Third Category: Families where the parents are not educated and

where the children are of school going age.

29

FIRST CATEGORY

First category of people may or may not be physically fit to manual jobs.

While old age pensions and rations should sustain them, possibilities of

profitably engaging them in processing minor forest produces that the other

tribal members gather should be explored. It is significant in this context to

point out the vital rights conferred in the 2006 Tribes Forest Rights Act on the

tribes to own, process, use and commercialize minor forest produces.

SECOND CATEGORY

For those families where youngsters above 20 years are not educationally

qualified for jobs self-employment is the best option. Adequate skill training for

profitably engaging themselves in self employment should be imparted

systematically to be supplemented with credit assistance with 50 percent

subsidy for start-up micro ventures. Illustratively there are about 30 Kaadar

youth both men and women who are educated above 10th standard, who can be

given driving training (both light and heavy) and then each one provided with a

commercial vehicle. These vehicles can be hired on long lease by the 50 odd

estates in Vaalpaarai itself.

Yet another illustration will be to provide one or two mini buses to a set of five

driver trained Kaadars which can play from Vaalpaarai to Pollachi or beyond.

THIRD CATEGORY

There are already a few graduates among the Kaadars. In the next

forthcoming years more graduates and diploma holders will be emerging from

the Kaadar communities. Such of these persons should be absorbed on a priority

basis in the permanent job offers in the private sector, the local bodies and the

government sectors within Vaalpaarai taluk. Startup loans and DIC loans should

30

also be offered to every one of the Kaadars who become a diploma holder or

graduate.

The third set of families where we can find educationally qualified youngsters

(degree, diploma etc) could be directly appointed in compatible government

jobs without routing them through the regular recruitment processes. However

after joining the said post they can be expected to clear regular departmental

examinations. A special legislation can be enacted to exempt such of these

tribes in Tamil Nadu whose total population is below 2000 from regular

recruitment processes. There are huge numbers of backlog vacancies in Tamil

Nadu government service which can be distributed to these tribes

The Vaalpaarai municipality is leasing out over hundred petty shops in

Vaalpaarai town itself. These tribes living within the municipal area (as a matter

of fact the whole of Vaalpaari hills in which the tribes live falls within one

municipal limits and one village limits).

Strangely rural development funds may not be extendable to these tribes at-all.

Only the municipal funds or tribal funds could be utilized. The municipality can

do well by setting apart at least two such petti shops for each of the four tribes

without insisting on advance payment as such. Tender processes can also be

waived or limited to respective tribal bidders.

SUGGESTIONS

31

SUGGESTIONS FOR DESIGNING TRIBAL SENSITIVE SCHEMES

PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY CARE

A monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 should be provided to tribal pregnant

mothers from the date of conception for twelve months. This should be

provided for two normal deliveries. While the pregnant mother should take care

of her nourishment at home for six months, she should be shifted to

‘Thaayagam’, a residential care-home in the proximity of an upgraded primary

health center equipped with a modern labour ward for a term lasting till

delivery. These Thaayagams should be large enough to accommodate 5-10

pregnant mothers plus an attender each. These should be run as an NGO by a

Tribal Association. Accommodation, food, medical care, lessons for pregnant

mothers and their husbands should be the responsibilities of the Thaayagam.

Moving the pregnant mothers in time for delivery to the PHC should be an

upper most responsibility of ‘Thaayagam’. Generous funding at the following

scales should be provided by the government. 1. Rent = Rs.30,000 per

month(p/m) 2. Water & power charges = Rs. 5,000p/m 3. Food for pregnant

mothers = Rs.5,000p/m (individual) 4.Food for attendant = Rs.3,000p/m (per

individual) 5.Honorarium for the NGO = Rs.20,000p/m Food can be outsourced

from a nearby mess. Medicines will be provided by the PHC. An amount of

Rs.8 Lakhs p/a, per ‘Thaayagam’(jhafk;) can be established. Initially 5 such

centers can be established.

1) One in Pollachi catering to Vaalparai tribes.

2) One in Sathyamangalam (Erode) catering to tribes in Sathyamangalam

ranges.

3) One in Thuraiyur catering to Pachachamalai tribes.

4) One in Gudalur catering to the most vulnerable tribes in Ooty.

32

5) One in Coonoor again for the most vulnerable tribes (Thodas, Koththas,

Kurumbar, Irular, Paniyar, Kaatunaiyakkar).

0-5 YEARS CHILD CARE CENTERS

All the existing benefits can be converged in one centre in each separate

habitations irrespective of the numbers. One sophisticated care center consisting

of cradles, play materials, indoor playing area, kitchen, bath and toilets in each

tribal habitation should be set up. The best of nutrition shall be provided in the

center for the child and the mother. Each center should have the freedom of

designing their menu. This should be a place for community activity in rearing

the child. Elders will learn lullabies, singing, dancing and attending to the needs

of babies viz feeding, playing with them, cleaning them, dressing them up,

patting to sleep, narrating stories as well as taking care of breast feeding

mothers.

Besides two care-takers, mothers converging in the center will also actively take

part in looking after their babies for the duration of stay in the centre. They in-

turn will assist in cooking, cleaning of the premises and washing of utensils.

The two care-takers will be from the same habitation and living there. They will

be women- preference given to any degree-holders. Their remuneration should

be fixed as Rs.20,000/- p/m. besides the food they can take along with the

children. A building worth not less than a crore of rupees should be built

keeping in tune with the local ecosystem. No uniform design should be

imposed. The local forest rights committee under the 2006 (Forest Rights) Act

should be left to manage this centre. Rs.200 crore can be set apart for a period

of ten years, so that 200 such centers come up during the period all over Tamil

Nadu.

ANNEXURES

ANNEXURE I (QUESTIONNAIRE 1)

33

STUDY OF fhlh; ST DEMOGRAPHY Instituted by

TN STATE PLANNING COMMISSION Undertaken by

REEDA (Rural Educational and Economical Development Association) Principal Investigator: R. Chrishtodas Gandhi IAS (Rtd)

Co-ordinators: Fr.Kumar & Dr. Pavithra

KAADAR DEMOGRAPHY / fhlh; Fbik

1. Name of Settlement / gjpapd; ngah;:

Vaalpaarai village, Pollachi Taluk / Vaalpaarai Taluk, Vaalpaarai Municipality, Pollachi Division, Coimbatore District.

2. Date / Year when settlement Created / gjp cUthf;fg;gl;l Mz;L

3. Total House Holds / nkhj;j FLk;gq;fs; (fztd; kidtpahf cs;sth; xU FLk;gkhff; fzf;nfLf;fg;gLk;. fztd; my;yJ kidtp ,we;J

gps;isfSld; ,Ug;Nghh; xU FLk;gkhff; fzf;nfLf;fg;gLk;. gps;isfSf;Fj; jpUkzkhfp ,Ug;gpd;

jha; je;ij jdpf; FLk;gkhff; fzf;nfLf;fg;gLk;. jpUkzkhd gpd;dh; fztid ,oe;j jha;

kidtpia ,oe;j je;ij jdpf; FLk;gkhf fzf;nfLf;fg;gLk;).

4. TotalMale (Age wise) nkhj;j Mz;fs; (taJ thhpahf)- vj;jidNgh; vd;W Fwpg;gpLf. 60f;F Nky; 40-60 30-40 18-30 10-18 5-10 0-5

5. Total Female (Age wise) nkhj;j ngz;fs; (taJ thhpahf)- vj;jidNgh; vd;W Fwpg;gpLf. 60f;F Nky; 40-60 30-40 18-30 10-18 5-10 0-5

6. Literate in Male (Age wise) Mz;fspy; gbj;jth; (taJ thhpahf)-vj;jidNgh; vd;W Fwpg;gpLf.

taJ gbg;gpy;iy 5Mk;

tFg;Gtiu

5-10Mk;

tFg;Gtiu

11-12

tFg;Gtiu ,sq;fiy KJfiy

BE / MBBS /

LAW Degree

40f;F

Nky;

25-40

16-25

10-16

5-10

7. Literate in Female (Age wise) ngz;fspy; gbj;jth; (taJ thhpahf)-vj;jidNgh; vd;W Fwpg;gpLf.

taJ gbg;gpy;iy 5Mk;

tFg;Gtiu

5-10Mk;

tFg;Gtiu

11-12

tFg;Gtiu ,sq;fiy KJfiy

BE / MBBS /

LAW Degree

40f;F

Nky;

25-40

16-25

10-16

5-10


34

8. Work Profile of Men (Age wise) Mz;fspd; Ntiytiffs; (taJ thhpahf)-vj;jidNgh; vd;W Fwpg;gpLf.

taJ Ntiyapy;iy tdj;Jiwg;

gzp

B Njhl;lg; gzp/ v];Nll;

jdpahhplk;

gzp muRg;gzp Ra njhopy;

60f;F Nky;

40-60

30-40

18-30

16-18

16f;F fPo;

9. Work Profile of Women (Age wise) ngz;fspd; Ntiytiffs; (taJ thhpahf)-vj;jidNgh; vd;W Fwpg;gpLf

taJ Ntiyapy;iy tdj;Jiwg;

gzp

B Njhl;lg; gzp/ v];Nll;

jdpahhplk;

gzp muRg;gzp Ra njhopy;

60f;F Nky;

40-60

30-40

18-30

16-18

16f;F fPo;

10. Nearest Schools mUfpYs;s gs;spfs;/ gjpapypUe;J vt;tsT njhiyT / fp.kP-,y;

gs;spapd; ngah; muR/jdpahh;

gs;sp Jtf;fg;gs;sp eLepiyg;gs;sp cah;epiyg;gs;sp Nky;epiyg;gs;sp

(vJ nghUj;jNkh mij bf; nra;f fp.kP Fwpg;gpLf).

11. Land Assigned to settlement in Hectare gjpf;F xJf;fg;gl;l epyk; (n`f;Nlhpy;)

12. Field – worker’s Name & Address fzf;nfLg;gth; ngah; kw;Wk; Kfthp.

REEDA – Rural Educational and Economic Development Association 141, Avvai Shanmugam Saalai, Gopalapuram, Chennai. Ph. 044-28111023 [email protected]

R.Christodos Gandhi, IAS (R) Qudsia Begum, IAS (R) Rtd. Adds. Chief Secretary, Rtd. Adds. Chief Secretary, President REEDA Secretary REEDA 9444045215 / [email protected] 9444077522 / [email protected] Fr.John Kumar, S.J Dr. Pavithra Director, Asst. Professor, Ulaga Tamil Aaraichi Social Watch – Tamil Nadu, Niruvanam, Tharamani, Chennai. 9444469685 / [email protected] 9487878101 / [email protected]

REEDA – Rural Educational and Economic Development Association 141, Avvai Shanmugam Saalai, Gopalapuram, Chennai. Ph. 044-28111023 [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]




35

STUDY OF fhlh; ST DEMOGRAPHY Instituted by

TN STATE PLANNING COMMISSION Undertaken by

REEDA (Rural Educational and Economical Development Association) Principal Investigator: R. Chrishtodas Gandhi IAS (Rtd)

Co-ordinators: Fr. Kumar& Dr. Pavithra KAADAR FAMILY / fhlh; FLk;gg; gbtk;

1. FLk;gj; jiyth; / jiytp:

jiyth; ngah;: _____________________________________________taJ: ______________

jiytp ngah;: ______________________________________________taJ: ______________

2. gps;isfs;:

t.vz; ngah; Mz; ngz; taJ

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

3. FLk;gj;jhh; gbg;G tptuk;:

t.vz; ngah; gbg;G

1.

2.

3.

4.

4. FLk;gj; jiyth; jiytp $l;L khj tUkhdk;:

&.1000f;Fk; fPo; &.1000-2000 &.2000-5000 &.5000f;F Nky;

(vJnghUj;jNkhmij bf; nra;f).


36

5. FLk;gj; jiyth ;/ jiytpf;F tPL cz;lh? Mk; ,y;iy

6. FLk;gj;jpy; md;whlk; rikf;Fk; czT tiffs;

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. vd;d Ra njhopy; nra;a tpUg;gk; cs;sJ?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. FLk;gj;jhUf;F cs;s jpwikfs;> fiyawpT> gw;wpf; Fwpg;gpL. (%ypif tptuk; njhpe;jpUj;jy;>

kUj;Jtk; nra;jy;> Mly;> ghly;> Ntshz;iknra;jy;> tPLfl;Ljy;> tpyq;FfSld; NgRjy;

Nghd;wd.)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. fzf;nfLg;gth; ngah; - Kfthp:

REEDA – Rural Educational and Economic Development Association 141, AvvaiShanmugamSaalai, Gopalapuram, Chennai. Ph. 044-28111023 [email protected]




ANNEXURE - IISUB-GROUP wise SCHEDULED TRIBE Population in each District as per Census 2011

S.No Community Ariyalur Chennai Coimbatore Cuddalore Dharampuri Dindigul Erode Kancheepuram Kanniyakumari Karur1 Adiyan 9 86 35 537 16 162 112 6 32 Aranadan 25 19 1 1 14 43 Eravallan 37 2395 5 14 Irular 9747 794 14508 9176 8156 5 306 27785 11 245 Kadar 27 521 5 3 3 4 12 26 Kammara 126 44 11 4 19 4 977 Kanikaran 34098 Kaniyan, Kanyan 117 7 36 11 5 23 102 691 89 Kattunayakan 31 593 1259 2583 97 2100 86 1736 858 294

10 Kochu velan11 Konda Kapus 223 1 1 5 6 2 2312 Kondarredis 266 188 39 59 4 1855 125 713 Koroga 9 9 1 5 2014 Kota 21 22 24 16 515 Kudiya, Melakudi 1 9 516 Kurichan 17 14 11 2593 1 517 Kurumbas 10918 Kurumanas 1569 36 12658 85 67 912 7 719 Maha Malasar 76 120 Malai Arayan 14 27 8 4 15 8 4 421 Malai Pandaram 30 116 172 3 21 31 75 77 722 Malai Vedan 25 73 3 934 12 148 128 1123 Malakkuravan 23 1198 79 1491 64 48 219 2751 62 224 Malasar 15 5793 211 8 21 325 Malayali 17 294 37948 9926 Malayakandi 2 58 12 127 Mannan 0 13 1 6 2 14 2228 Mudugar, Muduvan 25 740 31 27 7 929 Muthuvan 12 52 1 630 Pallayan 28 1 104 131 Palliyan 97 2 2 15 1056 1 24 2332 Palliyar 18 108 2 3208 39 17 12 3533 Paniyan 4 57 17 5 40 1 20 2 134 Sholaga 30 6 4 5286 51 535 Toda 60 60 12 3 16 81 236 Urali 16 7 10 3 7 12542 23 61 737 Genetic Tribes etc., 865 4522 2109 1249 1127 317 1126 7006 1929 36

Total 10722 10061 28342 15702 63044 8064 21880 41210 7282 575SOURCE: DEPT. OF TRIBAL WELFARE, GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, JULY, 2014

37


Krishnagiri Madurai Nagapattinam Namakkal Permabalur Pudukottai Ramanathapuram Salem Sivagangai Thanjavur The Nilgiris Theni174 906 30 279 2 1 274 85

4 40 3 11 1

15437 19 431 689 566 6 817 17 740 9480 41 10 2 12 184 158 4 13 2 6 3 6

3 17 8 8 9 537 4804 1363 39 1 567 784 44 359 1573 1989 320

25 7 210 50 9 44 69 4 1 3554 47 20 319 2 205 2 2 1 59

5 133341 34 6 22 1 2 7

68231517 19 9 35 4 1 2074 2 166 520 73

2 25 6 316 48 22 22 11 6 47 24 38 51 25 26

192 4507 4 6 4 4 44 2 747 2935 316 569 220 160 122 1307 89 381 10 3625 2 1 0 32 10 56

324 53926 1631 63 1090832 14 1 1 54

1 3 2 111 41 4 1 7 33 1 4 871 2 3 16 60

19 13 5 155 11 37 4 7 1 40612 316 4 7 134 11 1 1 16 6906 31 2 5 1 3 2 14 9824 27

32 19 4 1 111 3 13229 6 5 2 95 6 15091 6 1 5 3 1 229

1116 749 389 1989 58 58 73 1981 220 251 1230 6522388 11096 3756 57059 2584 1283 1105 119369 790 3561 32813 1835

SOURCE: DEPT. OF TRIBAL WELFARE, GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, JULY, 201438


Tiruvallur Tiruvarur Thoothukkudi Thirichirappalli Tirunelveli Tirupur Tiruvannamali Vellore Vilupuram Viruthunagar Grand Total92 625 443 1 74 64 85 322 3 442622 1 3 13832 7 368 24 2871

30218 146 20 760 7 181 24157 17738 17705 11 1896619 1 8 2 7 3 650

376 1 12 36 3 12 100 8 1049428 3837

28 258 13 787 6 21372360 1797 4124 793 6052 2603 1473 1979 2590 1384 46672

1 r 6 7214 1 11 521

2421 9 25 138 647 98 21 102 22 10 984712 8 1 1064 1 119 1 6 13 2 3039 18 6 662 6 9 17 2 8 2 6100

6932901 5 21 207 96 4383 5477 4 4 30859

7715 15 1 16 1 1 3 17272 65 7 70 15 87 19 45 168 23 143932 67 7 32 178 18 1 3 4 7215

1484 65 218 299 996 119 3575 1773 1804 98 196133 4 24 231 7 14 3 6463

14303 53671 40976 45645 3579806 12 1 1 23 22 210

12 10 1 4 5 21120 3 372 7 12575 2 209 3 3851 1 7 1 28 2 256

293 8 2 14 7 5 6 17 9 22398 3 8 93 134 2 1 1 391 52729 9 7 23 6 12 4 7 10139

22 2 13 12 216 12 27 598832 10 1 17 4 25 19755 37 22 12986

8524 282 131 816 973 553 3526 4506 6533 329 5463847243 3034 4911 18198 10270 5458 90954 72955 74859 2294 794697

SOURCE: DEPT. OF TRIBAL WELFARE, GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, JULY, 201439

APPENDIX

40

APPENDIX

PHOTOS TAKEN DURING VAALPARAI VISIT

REFERENCES

44

REFERENCES

FOREST RIGHTS ACT, 2006 Published in 2014, By Ministry of Tribal

Affairs, Government of India and United Nations Development

Programme, India

FOREST HISTORY OF ANAMALAIS, Tamil Nadu March – 2003

Traced by: Dr. T. Sekar, Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle,

Coimbatore with Inputs from: V. Ganesan, Wildlife Warden, Indira

Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Pollachi.

A STUDY OF KAADAR TRIBE IN VAALPAARAI · A Study of Kaadar Tribe in Vaalpaarai . A study done under...

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