A Qualitative Study on the Health and Education of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGS) of Gudalur, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

In India, Tribal constitute 8.61% of the total population numbering 104.28 million (2011 Census) and cover about 15% of the country’s area. Nilgiri district had the highest percentage of (3.16%) scheduled tribe population in Tamil Nadu. About 50% of the tribal population is concentrated in Gudalur taluk, the remaining 50% of the tribal population is distributed in the other three taluks. Toda, Kota, Irula Kurumba, Kattunayakan and Paniya were the six primitive tribal groups found in Nilgiri. The study facilitates to understand the health and educational status of the tribes in 3 villages Kadalakolly, Muttimoola and Thangamalai at Gudalur taluk using qualitative method. The finding shows that there exist less importance to health and education and lack of motivation in progress of education and health which leads to the poor health and lack of knowledge and awareness. The study suggests the implementation of the community organization as a social work method to stimulate a professional approach to develop them.