POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ANDDEVELOPMENT
OF PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TRIBAL
GROUPS (PVTGS): A CASE STUDY OF THE
LODHA TRIBE IN MAYURBHANJ DISTRICT,
ODISHA
Presented by
Rajat Kumar Barik
2.
INTRODUCTION
Political participationis a crucial element of democratic governance, serving as a vehicle for marginalized
communities to assert their rights, voice their concerns, and actively contribute to the processes that shape
their social, economic, and political realities
India is home to 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), who represent the most marginalized and
socio-economically backward sections of the Scheduled Tribes.
Odisha has 13 PVTGs, with the Lodha tribe being one of the most marginalized, primarily residing in
Mayurbhanj district.
Among them, the Lodha tribe of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha has long struggled with issues of land
alienation, illiteracy, poverty, and social exclusion. Despite constitutional safeguards and targeted welfare
programs, their participation in political and developmental processes remains limited.
This case study explores the intersection of political engagement and socio-economic development among the
Lodhas, aiming to understand how active citizenship and democratic inclusion can drive positive change. By
analyzing government schemes, electoral participation, leadership representation, and grassroots mobilization,
the study highlights both progress and persistent gaps in achieving inclusive development for this vulnerable
group.
The presentation seeks to provide critical insights into how empowering the Lodhas through participatory
governance can enhance their access to rights, resources, and sustainable development opportunities, while
also shedding light on the broader implications for tribal policy in India.
3.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THESTUDY
This research will contribute to tribal policy-making, participatory governance
models, and PVTG empowerment frameworks. It will provide field-based
evidence that can inform Odisha’s tribal welfare strategies and contribute to
academic discussions on tribal rights, decentralization, and inclusive
development.
4.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
NIRDPR (2021), Reported by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj analyzed the impact of the
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on tribal governance in Odisha, revealing that despite constitutional provisions like the PESA
Act, actual implementation remains weak in PVTG-dominated areas, resulting in limited control over local resources and
decisions.
UNPFII (2022), Discussed indigenous political participation globally. The report underscored that communities like India's
PVTGs face parallel challenges worldwide: lack of institutional support, cultural assimilation pressures, and limited autonomy.
Davis and Sayers (2023), In the Journal of Indigenous Development analyzed indigenous groups participation in local governance
across South Asia, with a specific focus on eastern India.
Mishra and Padhi (2022), In the Odisha Journal of Tribal Studies investigated the development schemes targeted at PVTGs,
noting a stark gap between policy formulation and ground-level implementation.
Centre for Policy Research (2023), Studied the role of tribal leaders in Odisha’s electoral politics. It observed that while tribal
leaders have emerged in some regions, most come from relatively better-off tribal subgroups, and representation from PVTGs
remains extremely rare.
Sen and Rawat (2021), In the International Journal of Development Studies, which examined participatory development among
forest-dwelling communities in Southeast Asia. The study highlighted the importance of community-led governance and
customary law integration in ensuring inclusive political development, suggesting similar models could be adapted for Odisha’s
PVTGs.
Rath and Das (2023), Explored the lived experiences of PVTG women in Gajapati district and their roles in Gram Sabhas and
Self Help Groups (SHGs). The study revealed that while SHGs have increased women's visibility in local governance, deep-rooted
gender norms and lack of institutional support continue to restrict their broader political participation.
5.
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Politicalparticipation is a critical aspect of democratic governance, ensuring that all sections of
society, including marginalized communities, have a voice in the decision-making process. In the
context of India, and particularly Odisha, the participation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal
Groups (PVTGs) remains an under-researched and under-represented area. Among these
communities, the Lodha tribe of Mayurbhanj district faces multiple layers of exclusion—
historical, social, economic, and political.
Despite constitutional provisions and affirmative action policies, their involvement in electoral
politics, grassroots governance, and public policy remains minimal. This research seeks to explore
the extent and nature of political participation among the Lodha tribe, examining whether they
have meaningful engagement or are simply symbolic participants in the political process.
6.
The challengesto political participation for PVTGs like the Lodhas are multi-dimensional. Structural
barriers such as poverty, illiteracy, lack of awareness, and geographical isolation restrict their access to
political institutions.
This research will also explore the potential reforms necessary to enhance the political participation of
the Lodha tribe. Key areas of reform may include the introduction of targeted political education
programs, capacity-building initiatives, culturally relevant awareness campaigns, and mechanisms to
ensure accountability and responsiveness of political institutions.
The study aims to contribute to the broader discourse on inclusive governance and tribal development
by identifying actionable strategies that bridge the gap between constitutional promises and grassroots
realities for PVTGs in Odisha.
7.
OBJECTIVES OF THESTUDY
To analyze the impact of political participation on the socio-economic development of the Lodha
tribe.
To identify the challenges faced by the Lodhas in accessing political and developmental
platforms.
To evaluate the role of government schemes, local governance, and NGOs in promoting political
inclusion and development of the Lodha community in the study area.
To examine the level of political awareness and participation among the Lodha tribe in
Mayurbhanj district.
To suggest policy interventions for enhancing political empowerment and sustainable
development of the Lodha PVTG.
8.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Howdoes political participation influence the socio-economic status of the Lodhas in
Mayurbhanj?
What are the structural and socio-cultural barriers limiting political participation of the Lodha
PVTG ?
To what extent have government programs and Panchayati raj institutions been effective in
promoting the political inclusion of the Lodha tribe?
What is the current level of political awareness and participation among the Lodha tribe in the
study area ?
What measures can be taken to improve political engagement and ensure inclusive development
for the Lodha PVTG in Odisha ?
9.
DATA SOURCES ANDMETHODOLOGY
The study will be conducted in Mayurbhanj district in Odisha purposive-cum multistage technique has
employed to the select the area and sample tribal household cover in the study.
In the first stage, Mayurbhanj district in Odisha will be selected purposively.
Multistage random sampling will be using for choosing the Blocks, Panchayat and Villages.
In the second stage Lodha tribal villages will be randomly selected.
In the third stage 5 to 10 % of the house hold will be randomly selected from each selected village.
Those in approximately 400 tribal sample will be selected randomly from selected areas equal representation
all sample villages chosen for the study.
In order to achieve the research objectives, the present study included both quantitative and qualitative
methods. The present study is based on both primary and secondary data.
Primary data will be collected from fieldwork conducted in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha.
Secondary data will be collected from government reports, NGO publications, academic journals, and census
data.
As research tools and techniques, the present study includes for data interpretation, various type of statistical
tools will be used. This study for computing data MS-EXCEL, and SPSS software will be used.
10.
CHAPTERIZATION
The presentresearch work is comprised of 6 chapters.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Review of Literature
Chapter 3 -Tribal Rights, Participation, and Development: Theoretical Framework.
Chapter 4 -Socio-Economic Profile of the Sample PVTGs Respondents
Chapter 5 - Data Analysis and Interpretation
Chapter 6 – Summary, Conclusion, and Suggestions.
11.
REFERENCES
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