COVID-19 Pandemic and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Hill Korwa of Chhattisgarh: A Pilot Study
Rashmi Kujur1, Shabnoor Siddiqui2, Sanjay Kumar Singh3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Govt. Pt. Shyamacharan Shukla College, Raipur (C.G.)
2In charge Principal and Professor, Department of History, Govt. Pt. Shyamacharan Shukla College, Raipur (C.G.)
3Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Govt. Pt. Shyamacharan Shukla College, Dharsiwa, Raipur (C.G.)
*Corresponding Author E-mail: rshmikujur50@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Community is awareness wise and technologically most backward and economically and health wise vulnerable population of India. It was found from the review of literatures that the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) earlier known as Primitive Tribe, their health, economic and educational status is very critical and it need a systematic policy interventions to upgrade their health, economic and educational status. Although Government has taken several initiatives to overcome the problem but it needs more time to achieve sustainable development in this kind of communities. When we observe the livelihood standards of PVTG we can say that the benefits and advantages of development and progress have still not reached to this community at proportionate level. Hill Korwa is the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of Chhattisgarh state and shows all four major characteristics of PVTG declared by the Government of India. The characteristics are declining population, extreme poverty, low educational status and subsistence level of economy. Though Hill Korwa are vulnerable in general condition of the country and if we talk about the period of Covid-19 pandemic the PVTG people in remote areas are extremely vulnerable to the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) than other communities. The pandemic may have serious effects on their well-being, livelihood, their health and their overall socio-economic status. Their economy is mostly depended upon forest produces but as time passes, they start doing labor works too which is now become crucial during this pandemic because they did not get sufficient income from labor work. Hill Korwa people mostly believe upon supernatural power for cause of disease and treatment too and fewer of them took benefits from the nearby primary and community health centers, against this backdrop, the COVID-19 pandemic among Hill Korwa surroundings may be poses a serious threat to their population. The situation of health of Hill Korwa community is in a crucial state and wretched state of affairs in spite of the Government’s major efforts and apprehension for this community. The present paper mainly focuses on the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on Hill Korwa tribal community in Chhattisgarh. A systematic pilot study has been conducted to understand the impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Hill Korwa community in Chhattisgarh’s four districts named Jashpur, Balrampur, Korba and Surguja at large. The present paper is the part of Pilot Project related research work done under Minor Research Project, Sanctioned by Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, India.
KEYWORDS: Tribal Community, Hill Korwa, Covid-19, Vulnerable Tribes, Impact of COVID-19, Pandemic.
INTRODUCTION:
The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Community is awareness wise and technologically most backward and economically and health wise vulnerable population of India. It was found from the review of literatures that the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) earlier known as Primitive Tribe, their health, economic and educational status is very critical and it need a systematic-policy-interventions to upgrade their health, economic and educational status. Although Government has taken several initiatives to overcome the problem but it needs more time to achieve sustainable development in this kind of communities. When we observe the livelihood standards of PVTG we can say that the benefits and advantages of development and progress have still not reached to this community at proportionate level.
Hill Korwa is the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of Chhattisgarh state and shows all four major characteristics of PVTG declared by the Government of India. The characteristics are declining population, extreme poverty, low educational status and subsistence level of economy. Though Hill Korwa are vulnerable in general condition of the country and if we talk about the period of Covid-19 pandemic the PVTG people in remote areas are extremely vulnerable to the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) than other communities. The pandemic may have serious effects on their well-being, livelihood, their health and their overall socio-economic status. Their economy is mostly depended upon forest produces but as time passes, they start doing labor works too which is now become crucial during this pandemic because they did not get sufficient income from labor work. Hill Korwa people mostly believe upon supernatural power for cause of disease and treatment too and fewer of them took benefits from the nearby primary and community health centers, against this backdrop, the COVID-19 pandemic among Hill Korwa surroundings may be poses a serious threat to their population.
The situation of health of Hill Korwa community is in a crucial state and wretched state of affairs in spite of the Government’s major efforts and apprehension for this community. The present paper mainly focuses on the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on Hill Korwa tribal community in Chhattisgarh. A systematic pilot study has been conducted to understand the impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Hill Korwa community in Chhattisgarh’s four districts named Jashpur, Balrampur, Korba and Surguja at large. The present paper is the part of research work done under Minor Research Projected, Sanctioned by Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, India.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
Hill Korwa is the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of Chhattisgarh state and shows all four major characteristics of PVTG declared by the Government of India. The characteristics are declining population, extreme poverty, low educational status and subsistence level of economy (Ministry of Tribal Affairs)1. Though Hill Korwa are vulnerable in favorable conditions of the country and if we talk about the period of Covid-19 pandemic the PVTG people basically living in remote areas are extremely vulnerable to the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) than other communities. The pandemic may have serious effects on their well-being, livelihood, their health and their overall socio-economic status. Their economy is mostly depended upon forest produces but as time passes, they start doing labor works too which is now become crucial during this pandemic because they did not get wages from labor work. Basically, it was becoming difficult for the community to do labor work as all the working places has been shut now for some times during lockdowns nor they are allowed to go inside the forest area to collect forest produce nor they can even sell them in a market because for the long period the markets are shut down. Subsequently these restrictions have put them in a serious threat.
Hill Korwa people mostly believe upon supernatural power for their disease and treatment too and fewer of them took benefits from the nearby primary and community health centers, against this backdrop, the COVID-19 pandemic among Hill Korwa surroundings may be poses a serious threat to their population. As Hill Korwa is PVTG, so that their economy is only limit to their sustainability, thus PDS plays an important role as The Public Distribution System (PDS) evolved as system of management of scarcity through distribution of food grains at affordable prices to Hill Korwa community.
The present research paper mainly focused on above discussed topics such as their socio- cultural status, economic status, educational status and Role of Public Distribution System and Health status as well as their health care practices during the period of Covid 19 Pandemic. Although this paper highlights the traditional and cultural norms of the Hill Korwa community which keep them safe during Pandemic.
HILL KORWA IN CHHATTISGARH:
In Chhattisgarh state Hill Korwa tribe are one of the five particularly vulnerable tribal group living in four districts namely Sarguja, Jashpur, Korba and Balrampur. Sahu (1998)3 in the study mentioned that Korwa is the Kolarian tribe of Bihar. They are mainly found in hilly, remote, and scattered areas on the trijunction of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh (present in Chhattisgarh) and Uttar Pradesh. It is known from the historical background about the principal sub division of the Korwa who were settled in the hills are called Hill Korwa and came down in plains are known as Din Korwa or Dihari Korwa. Dihari Korwa is a good agriculturist and living in better condition while Hill Korwa is just reverse to the Dihari Korwa. They are entirely different in socio-economic and religious aspects and also, they do not perform marriage between them. (Kujur Rashmi 2021)4
Dalton (1872)5 in his study described their physical characters as short stature, dark brown in complexion, strongly built and active with good muscular development. On the basis of physical characteristics, they belong to Proto –Australoid racial stock and they speak their own language “Korwa” which comes under Austric language. (Kujur Rashmi 2021). The hill Korwa are the agriculturist and hunter and food gatherer community mostly living in isolation and self-sufficient and dependent conditions, they bought only few things from market otherwise they generally satisfied with their own produces. Most of them even cannot buy soaps and detergents from market they usually wash their clothes by ashes. Usually, they are untouched with the modern society standards and strongly connected and deeply rooted with their traditional beliefs and culture. Most of them speak their mother tongue Dalan-Dabu and Saadari, Saadari is the local language in Surguja, Balrampur and jashpur although least educated person of the community is able to speak Hindi properly. Children under 08 years of age are mostly found without clothing in this community. Their houses are generally Kaccha mud house with some wooden extention.
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE:
Hill Korwa’s total population in the Chhattisgarh state is 37195 and the complete description about their population is given in the table below.
Table No.1.
|
S.N. |
District |
Total block |
Village |
No. of Families |
Total population |
|
|
Sarguja |
07 |
140 |
2374 |
9509 |
|
|
Jashpur |
02 |
97 |
3097 |
13011 |
|
|
Korba |
02 |
33 |
589 |
2120 |
|
|
Balrampur |
04 |
134 |
2986 |
12555 |
|
Total |
|
15 |
404 |
9046 |
37195 |
*Hill Korwa Population Distribution in Chhattisgarh. Hand Book of Tribal Welfare Department Government of Chhattisgarh State 2011, pp 1-26. 2
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
(a) To understand Health status of Hill Korwa during covid19- pandemic.
(b) To understand the severity of COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on Hill Korwa tribes of Chhattisgarh.
(c) To understand the problems, difficulties and threats faced by the respondent Household due to COVID-19 Pandemic situation in Chhattisgarh.
DESIGN OF THE STUDY:
The all four districts of Hill Korwa habitation in Chhattisgarh state are the study area for this research work. The names of the districts selected as study area are Sarguja, Jashpur, Korba and Balrampur. The option of the area for the current study was based on the subsequent considerations, multistage stratified random sampling by lottery method becomes essential when a sufficient number of rare units are to be identified in a sample. Hence, the above sampling method was adopted in this, study. The total number of samples taken for study is 71. In view of the objectives of the study interview schedule was prepared and an observational survey was undertaken to acquire primary information of the universe. The data collected used in the study were collected both from primary and secondary data source of information. This study was based on systematic diagnosis of local conditions and intended to collect an inclusive profile of COVID-19 situation of respondents. The data collected are than scrutinized, systematic tabulation and analysis of data was assessed.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
Khetua (2001)8 in the book “Sickness and healing among Hill Korwa “studied among Hill Korwa of Jashpur district explain briefly about the way of treatment of disease among them, it is found that they will prefer baiga, ojha, dewair for treatment of different kinds of diseases.
Sharma (2001)9 studied among the Hill Korwa girls about the identical characteristics of physical development, found that most of them are malnourished and physically not growing very well, because of the lack of awareness towards the health and excessive work, improper diet and unaware about the welfare plans.
Pandey and other (2002)10 comparatively studied about the differentials in households characteristics between two tribes of Madhya Pradesh in which explain about the size of family, electricity facilities, annual income and educational status of Hill Korwa and found that they are living at very lower status of life in which they were never facilitate by electricity, annual income is very less and most of them are illiterate. All these conditions led them to live unhealthy life. Mohanty (2004)11 noted about the of health status of Hill Korwa and mentioned about the poor economic condition of them which widely affect their health. Most of them are living in very unhygienic condition and unaware about their health care. Beliefs upon supernatural powers also found at its extreme level among them. Sharma and other (2007)12 concluded that Hill Korwa’s crude death rate is 11.9 which is higher than national rate 8.7. Infant mortality is seemed to be very high among them it is recorded 166/1000 births in which national rate account 70/1000 and Chattisgarh account 80/1000. Further specify that Hill Korwas is very poor and worst because of their isolation, remoteness, and being largely unaffected by the development process. Also mentioned as they are living in very remote area it is increasingly being difficult to undertake welfare and developmental programs.
Shrivastava (2008)13 in the article argues that the tribal issues should come more to the center of our discussion in contemporary India than remaining at the margins, as is the case today, in which he further says that the govt. planning and role of bureaucrats were lacking in some ways which is responsible for the decreasing health status of them. Kujur (2011)14 explained about the health status of Hill Korwa, unawareness towards the health, lack of primary health centres and staff, extreme poverty, engaged in traditional practices for treatment purpose about 20 percent respondents prefer govt. hospitals, Korwa women deliver their child in separate place specially made for this purpose called Kumba and they never go to hospital for delivery. Kshatriya. (2014)15 found in the study that tribes of the central India , over 50 % of them consume less than 2000 calories per day compared to the ICMR stipulated requirement of 2400 calories. Sarala (2015)16 Mentioned in the study that the tribal diets in our country is generally grossly deficient in calcium, vitamin C riboflavin and protein and also the degree 15 of under nutrition is higher among the under privileged communities which includes the tribal population of the country.
Khan and other (2018)17 finds that the socio-economic and demographic profile of the Hill Korwas calls for concern. Chakma (2020)18 noted that a number of minor forest produce (MFP) items are seasonal and the selling off period for those products is usually between March and June. This is the peak season for selling MFP but the tribals are not able to sell as there are no buyers due to the lockdown. The state government have closed haats to avoid crowding and tribals are unable to sell their forest produce. On 30 March 2020, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) sent a proposal to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to declare the van dhan centres (established for providing skill upgradation for tribal communities) as procurement centres for MFP. The Government of India has assured that the tribals would get minimum support price for the MFP. Chakma (2020)19 it is expected that the tribals in the inaccessible areas shall be worst affected by the lockdown if the local administration does not take proactive measures to reach out to them with food grains and other essential supplies. The tribals already face hunger and suffer from malnutrition but the lockdown, which resulted in restrictions of movement, lack of livelihood sources, and returning of migrant workers, have aggravated the hunger crisis.
HEALTH CARE STATUS:
Hill Korwa tribe in Chhattisgarh state are already suffering from lac of basic healthcare facilities, shortage of health care workers and lacking of awareness about disease and treatment even they are lacking of proper guidance about health care services etc. The common diseases found among Hill Korwa are Malaria, Typhoid, Tuberculosis, Measles, Diarrhea, Anemia, Malnutrition and skin diseases etc. As, the health care status of Hill Korwa community in Chhattisgarh state is already in critical condition and because of the poor health care services and remoteness of their habitation COVID-19 Pandemic may cause severe damage to their lives. Altough the transmission of COVID-19 spreads mostly by huge gatherings and mostly spreads in densely populated areas which is not matched with Hill Korwa habitation. It results no or very few cases of COVID-19 infection in Hill Korwa community. The efforts made by the state government and health care system of the state works with dedication and awareness about COVID-19 disease and vaccination done in proper way among Hill Korwa community so that it results zero cases of COVID-19 infection and 94.4 percent of sampled population has been taken their second dose vaccine for the precaution of COVID-19. (Table No. 3) It was found in the study that hundred percent respondents are aware about COVID-19. But although they have taken vaccine and not infected by the COVID-19 disease still at partial level their health status was affected by the pandemic. (Table No. 2 and 4)
Results shows that Hill Korwa community people are now adopting parturition in health centers as compare to traditional way in “Kumba”. Kumba are the special structure of Hill Korwa hamlets in which they perform parturition in traditional way without tacking help from health care professionals but due to little awareness and incentives benefits from government they are now started adopting health center for parturition. But it was found in the study that during long lockdown periods they are willing to take health care facilities for parturition but they are unable to go health centers because of unavailability of ambulance, taxi, buses and other private transportations. (Dia. No. 01, District wise status preference of institution for Parturition) Also, it was found from the study that they are even not benefited and suffers a lot from different kinds of seasonal diseases but they are unable to reach to the health centers.
Table No. 2, Status of COVID-19 Vaccination
|
|
Frequency |
Percent |
Valid Percent |
Cumulative Percent |
|
|
Valid |
Not Vaccinated |
3 |
4.2 |
4.2 |
4.2 |
|
single dose taken |
1 |
1.4 |
1.4 |
5.6 |
|
|
two doses taken |
67 |
94.4 |
94.4 |
100.0 |
|
|
Total |
71 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
|
|
Table No. 3 Awareness about COVID-19 Pandemic
|
|
Frequency |
Percent |
Valid Percent |
Cumulative Percent |
|
|
Valid |
yes |
71 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
Table No. 4 Age Group wise status of COVID-19 Vaccination of Hill Korwa
|
|
N |
Marginal Percentage |
|
|
Vaccination |
Not Vaccinated |
3 |
4.2% |
|
single dose taken |
1 |
1.4% |
|
|
two doses taken |
67 |
94.4% |
|
|
Age |
<20 y |
1 |
1.4% |
|
21-25y |
5 |
7.0% |
|
|
26-30y |
12 |
16.9% |
|
|
31-35y |
5 |
7.0% |
|
|
36-40y |
7 |
9.9% |
|
|
41-45y |
7 |
9.9% |
|
|
46-50y |
7 |
9.9% |
|
|
51-55y |
8 |
11.3% |
|
|
56-60y |
1 |
1.4% |
|
|
60> |
18 |
25.4% |
|
|
Valid |
71 |
100.0% |
|
|
Missing |
0 |
|
|
|
Total |
71 |
|
|
Dia. No. 01, District wise status preference of institution for Parturition
CONCLUSION:
The COVID-19 pandemic has been created a lot more impacts on not only people’s health but also cause severe damage to their socio-cultural and economic lives also. In this research it was observed that instead of having basic nature of unawareness of Hill Korwa community towards their health the respondent shows awareness towards the COVID-19. Most of the respondents have been taken their two doses of vaccine to protect against COVID-19. Most of them have been performed social distancing punctually and immediately isolate their hamlet during the lockdowns. But the pandemic impact their health in indirect way as during the lockdown they don’t have proper transportation facilities so that they are unable to go hospitals during health issues because hospitals are far away from their hamlets. The schools are shut down for the long period so that their education is affected and the mid-day meal is lacking during this period so that fewer respondents are suffered for sufficient food, although the state government supplies food grains in advance for two months but it is found not sufficient.
FUNDINGS:
The present paper is the part of Pilot Project related research work done under Minor Research Project, Sanctioned by Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, India.
REFERENCE:
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Received on 11.07.2022 Modified on 14.08.2022 Accepted on 05.09.2022 © A&V Publication all right reserved Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences. 2022; 10(3):131-137. |