Island Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar by S.S. Shashi (ed.) - 2004

Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd., 2004. Hardcover. New. India has a total of 573 Scheduled Tribes spread over almost of the states and Union Territories (with the exception of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Pondichery and Delhi). The 1991 Censes estimates that there are 64.88 million scheduled tribe persons in the country; Madhya Pradesh leads with over 23 per cent of its total population belonging to the tribal category. Of the north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, Mizoram heads the list with 94.75 per cent of the states population belonging to the tribal category (the formar Lushais) followed by Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, in that order. These tribal communities and groups spread all over the Indian mainland and in certain Islands of the Andamans and Nicobar as well as Lakshwadeep, constitute a distinct dimension of Indian life and culture. They are given protection and enabling support to the extent possible, by both government and a host of voluntary agencies. Efforts are always continuing to improve the quality of their life by helping them increase their earnings through increased productivity, agro-economic schemes and self-employment through cooperatives. However, the problems of exploitation by vested and greedy interests remain and education has been seen as a key catalyst of growth and social and political awareness among the tribal peoples. The book deals with the tribal communities and their life, culture and customs in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar. Printed Pages: 226.