A Geographical Analysis of Core and Peripheries of Tribal Population in Maharashtra

Abstract

The present paper based on the 1991-2001 Census data insights into the distribution of tribal population and intends to identify the core and peripheries of five major tribes, in the state of Maharashtra. For the comprehension and identification of core of a particular tribe along with its periphery , the composite index has been computed for the year 1991 only. The five major tribes viz. Bhils, Gonds, Mahadeo Kolis, Varlis and Kokanas are considered for the identification of their core and periphery in the state. Apart from this, the percentage distribution of tribal population has also been worked out and depicted on the map to highlight their concentration in different districts of the state, both for 1991 and 2001. It is found that the proportion of tribal population in the state as a whole, barring two districts of Dhule and Aurangabad, has declined from 9.27% in 1991 to 8.85% in 2001, due to the under enumeration and derecogniton of some tribes. The core of Gond tribe is confined to Chandrapur and Gadchiroli district and its periphery in adjoining districts of Nagpur and Bhandara. The core of Bhils is identified in Dhule, Varlis in Thane, Kokanas and Mahadeo Kolis' core is commonly identified in Nashik district, and the peripheries of these tribes are also found in the immediate adjoining districts. This sort of study of distribution and regarding their core and peripheries is useful for the tribal planning.