Integrated Tribal Development Programme

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The primary focus of the ITDP is to contribute to the sustainable development of the tribal communities by promoting their status in the areas of health, education, agriculture, income generation, community development and infrastructure within a participatory framework.

 

  • Comprehensive health care programme

  • Heath awareness camp providing information on personal hygiene, sanitation, nutritional food practices and general health care.

  • Health volunteer training for tribal youth.

  • Periodic polio vaccination camp for children in association with the Department of Health Services.

  • A facility for the registration of births and deaths in the nearby Primary Health Centres.

  • Sickle Cell Anaemia is a special disease that only affects the tribal communities in the region. The disease is genetically transferred to the next generation.  It is non- preventable and non-curable but with the proper medical care and support people’s lives can be prolonged.

  • Health Insurance - 448 tribal families in 31 villages have been included in the insurance scheme.

 

The poor economic conditions of the tribal people have invariably resulted in their inability to send their children to school. The children who do go to school suffer a high dropout rates.  The literacy level in the tribal communities is also very low. To promote the educational status of the tribal communities CTRD Trust runs the following educational programmes:

 

  • Preparatory Children Education Programme for children below 5 years of age.

 

  • Evening school programmes have been carried out. These programmes aim to improve the knowledge and skills of school going children in order for them to score higher marks in their exams. So far 600 tribal children have benefited.

 

  • At present 640 children are attending regular schools and CTRD is providing all the educational materials such as books, notebooks, uniforms and writing materials while also paying their school fees.

 

Community Development Programme

 

Community organisation is the main part of the ITDP programme. CTRD provides leadership training, awareness programmes, motivation camps, youth welfare training, fundamental rights, protection of civil rights, leadership training and knowledge about government schemes available to them.

 

The general awareness programme covers the following issues: land disputes in the village, village level problems and family disputes, disputes on the distribution of government free televisions, CBO strengthening programmes, community halls and drinking water facilities.

 

With the objective of improving the living environment of the tribal families CTRD is engaged in facilitating the building of community infrastructure such as the laying of approach roads to the hamlets, establishing cement foot paths, drinking water supplies, housing, and electricity to the villages with support of the government.

 

During this year CTRD facilitated the implementation of the HADP and DRDA Government programmes in the tribal villages. The achievements of this project are explained in the following table:

 

Income Generation

 

CTRD helps the tribal people cultivate tea, pepper and coffee on their own lands in order to generate income. CTRD has provided various tea saplings, guides and technical assistance to help in their cultivation activities. This has had a remarkable impact on tribal communities’ livelihood options.

 

CTRD has provided:

Agricultural equipment.

Fertiliser and pesticide from the Agricultural and Cooperative Department..

Agricultural techniques.

Skills development training.

Animal husbandry.

CTRD Trust conducted agricultural training with the support of UPASI –KVK in order to equip the tribal farmers.

Achievements and Future Plans

 

Here is a brief look at some of CTRD’s achievements over the last 20 years.

 

  • Mr. Suresh, a tribal boy, has entered into his college studies. He is the first person to go college form the Paniya tribe.

  • 640 children are now in mainstream education. These children are now regularly attending school and are also competing with the other children they study with.

  • The tribal families are now ensured to receive Rs.500/- per month from their tea farms.

  • Thanks to CTRD various tribal leaders have gained the skills and knowledge to directly approach government officials for their village needs and issues.

  • People's participation in all of CTRD’s programmes/projects has increased substantially over the last 20 years.

  • More SHG’s are now linked with banks and more funds are now flowing in. The SHG’s are now able to independently mange these funds.

  • The model village has got its due recognition from the government and there is now the opportunity for CTRD to take up similar projects in the area.

  • The health awareness camps have made a great impact amongst the tribal communities. The tribal communities have started using private and government hospitals for their health needs which has substantially improved their health. They have started taking care of their own health and the health of their family members, particularly their children who are now immunised at the right time.

  • The tribal farmers have started using new techniques and technologies in crop production and more land has been brought under cultivation. This has resulted in them requiring less wage labour to support their families. The farmers now also know the market value of their products making them less likely to be exploited.