Remote Tribal Areas Research Articles

An extensive qualitative and quantitative multi criteria analysis for a hybrid renewable energy system applied to tribal zone - based primary health centres, and maximizing the societal parameters

Remote electrification enhances the quality of life quality of people in remote areas, with no access to electricity through distributed coverage of electricity. Due to the irregular and unbalanced fuel cost and impracticable expansion of the grid, hybrid integrated renewable energy sources become dependable substitute for remote electrification. The necessity of uninterrupted power dispatch is a prime factor for primary health centres, located in tribal and remote areas. This article proposes an integrated primary analysis like financial, production, quantity and environmental, applied to an optimum sizing of a hybrid standalone renewable energy source, which might be carried out in eight primary health centres, situated in the Gudalur Zone in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India. Four different criteria were inspected in this study, as standard loading, boost up loading, step down loading and complete renewable loading. In addition, every criterion was assessed with four kinds of PV tracking arrangements. The peak load requirement of power and energy, for eight primary health centres, was around 121.08 kW and 907.96 kWh/day respectively. HOMER Pro Micro-grid Analysis Tool was used, to analyze the different primary parameters of this study. The foremost financial parameters like COE (Cost of Energy) and NPC (Net Present Cost), could range from 0.102 to 0.118 $ per kWh and from 0.4047 to 0.5708 Million $ respectively. Annual energy production of solar PV could vary from 318.5 to 427.65 MWh. The main quantity parameter like percentage of excess electricity was obtained from 13.3 to 21.5% annually. The leading emission parameters like CO2 and CO were reported to range from 1700 to 4502 and from 7.98 to 28.1 kg per year respectively. Generator and fuel parameters, key properties of energy storage and converter, were also analyzed extensively. In addition, sensitivity analysis and social parameters were also discussed in this study. The result of this work gives a conceptual and flexible design of structure, to make possible the continuous power supply to the remote tribal area - based primary health centres, under in all situations.

Red-Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus): A Traditional Rain Forecaster for Tribal Farmers of Southwestern Rajasthan

Abstract An intensive survey was carried out over the past 8 years in tribal-dominated areas of southwestern Rajasthan to document red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus) behavior as a rain forecaster, relevant to farm planning and better crop production. The present study included tribal farmers, agriculture scientists, extension workers, ornithologists, and farm workers. The precision of their observations was compared with a contemporaneous study of 10–15 red-wattled lapwing nests across the 46-ha operational area of the Agricultural Research Sub-Station (ARSS) and Adaptive Trial Center (ATC), Sumerpur, Pali, Rajasthan (25.1526°N latitude, 73.0823°E longitude). Local knowledge was gathered through surveys and focus group discussions with the respondents to discuss lapwing behavior as a rain prediction indicator. Meteorological data were gathered from the ATC farm observatory. The findings revealed that the older tribal farmers have an assortment of knowledge about the behavior of red-wattled lapwing as rain prediction indicators such as nesting sites, egg position, egg arrangement, nesting material, numbers of eggs, and egg-laying patterns. These predictions have a direct correlation with modern meteorological observations. It was also noted that the elder tribal farmers planned their farms using lapwing indicators in order to increase crop production, whereas younger generations overlook the traditional rain prediction indicators and have significant knowledge about meteorological data-based weather forecasting. Both the elder and younger tribal farmers were equally interested in meteorological weather forecast announcements, but due to network connectivity challenges, residents in some remote places were unable to access modern meteorological information. Long-term accurate rain forecasting is needed for better agricultural planning and to secure crop production. Rain forecasting can be improved by blending modern meteorological information with traditional proven indications. Farmers who have considerable traditional knowledge along with modern technological updates are capable of using both sources of information in suitable and successful farm planning for better crop production. Significance Statement The purpose of this study is to examine red-wattled lapwing behavior as rain measurements and compare its reliability with modern rain forecasting methods. We also develop a theoretical framework for understanding traditional and modern rain forecasting methods for disaster management in remote and accessible areas, to assist resource management and to minimize costs of cultivation. Our results provide a guideline for blending both types of knowledge and for providing relevant information to remote tribal areas at appropriate times for better farm planning and crop production.

Quality Assessment of Interactive Mobile Application - Maternal and Infant Care for Tribal Birth Attendants.

Digital health interventions can overcome geographical barriers and prepare health-care providers for better health outcomes in rural and remote tribal areas, however, it has not been explored among traditional birth attendants (TBAs). A mobile application, "maternal and infant care" (MAI) for capacity building of tribal birth attendants was developed and its quality was evaluated using the Mobile Application Rating Scale for user's interest in and satisfaction with the esthetics, information, and functionality. Thirteen Android user TBAs with the MAI application were piloted with the MARS checklist. Engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information quality; and one subjective quality scale having 29 items were used. The application was found to be entertaining excellent rating (mean score ± standard deviation) (4.00 ± 0.58), and scored high on performance (3.77 ± 0.93); layout design (3.85 ± 0.90); subjective quality (4.23 ± 0.93), however, scored minimum on interest; gestural design; visual appeal, etc. MAI is a user-friendly, culturally acceptable Android app that can be used for the capacity building of frontline workers.

Endangered Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Herbal Medicines in The South-East Rajasthan (Hadoti Region)

The present study was carried out to gather information about Ethno-botanical knowledge of tribal people and ethnic races those are residing in forests of south-east Rajasthan since ages. A large number of wild and cultivated plants are being used by them to treat various ailments due to limited access to modern health care services. The study was carried out in an unexplored remote tribal area of South east region of Rajasthan to investigate and document the existing ethno-medicinal knowledge on local flora which is rich and diversified in important medicinal plants.. The ethno-medicinal knowledge in the study area is gradually heading towards extinction because the old age community members being the main bearer of this knowledge are passing away and younger generation is not interested to take it. Herbal practitioners in the area have sufficient traditional knowledge, but mostly, they are reluctant to disclose it to other community members. Hence, the current study was planned with the objectives to record the traditional knowledge of study area mainly pertaining to endangered Ethno-medicinal plants of the proposed area of study. The study was conducted through direct interviews with 35 Herbal practitioners and 240 informants from the study area. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires from the community members and local herbal. We presented thirty most used species by ancestral healers of Hadoti to cure different ailments and their medicinal uses. This study also provide details regarding Habitat, Mode of transfer, Abundance Status, Effect and popularity and Cultivation practices (status of plant)of selected 30 plants.

Performance of horizontal flow constructed wetland for secondary treatment of domestic wastewater in a remote tribal area of Central India

The purification of the primary treated domestic sewage was performed in the present study through the horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetland (CW) of 10 × 3.5 m dimension. The study was performed using three setups of CW 1 (Unplanted CW), CW 2 (CW planted with macrophyte Typha latifolia), and CW 3 (CW planted with two species of macrophyte T. latifolia and Commelina benghalensis). The purification experiments were performed by converting one type of CW into the other form sequentially, i.e., CW 1 was built first and after the experiments, it was converted into CW 2 and then CW 3. The CW was filled with a layer of coarse and fine gravel of 70 cm depth as filter media in 1:2 ratio. Each set of wetland was operated for 3 months (12 wk) during which the treatment performance of wetlands for basic physicochemical parameters was evaluated. The CW was operated in continuous mode at an average hydraulic loading rate of 250 L h− 1 and the treated effluent was analysed twice every week at four different sampling points having hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 12, 24, 36 and 48 h for important sewage quality parameters All the three setups of CW were able to clean the primary treated sewage significantly. Among the three sets of wetlands used, CW 3 was the best performer removing 79, 77, 79, 79, and 78% of biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nitrate, ammonia, and phosphate respectively in 48 h HRT. Among the three sets of wetlands, the CW 3 removed the highest percent of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and E. coli as 64, 61 and 52% respectively.

Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis treated with bedaquiline: A case report in the particularly vulnerable tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, India

The management of drug-resistant (DR) tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge particularly in remote rural areas of the country. Although the treatment with wholly oral drug regimens, including bedaquiline (BDQ) and delamanid, is rolled out under the National TB Elimination Program, little is known about its coverage and the effectiveness in hard-to-reach tribal areas. The present report describes the early identification and successful management, through team effort, of a case of extensively DR TB belonging to the Saharia tribe - a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Madhya Pradesh, which has a very high prevalence of TB. The BDQ-containing regimen was well tolerated and found effective with minimal side effects and contributed to the reduced time to culture conversion and radiological improvements. The concerted efforts and strategies need to be adopted for effective implementation of Programmatic management of DR TB (PMDT) guidelines in remote tribal areas of the country.

OPERATIONS OF NERCORMP IN NORTH EAST INDIA: A REVIEW

The development project, North East Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCOMP) was launched in February 1998 in six districts selected from three states – Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya in North Eastern India. The project venture started with adoption of two approaches – (1) Social infrastructural development and (2) Socio –economic development, both with the participation of community based organisations (SHGs and NaRMGs). Needy social infrastructural development activities have been executed under the project which give a breakthrough in development of remote tribal areas in NER. Socio-Economic development through institutional capacity building and participation of CBOs has brought a drastic change in the life style of tribal people in the region. By and large, the NERCOMP has given a great contribution to the socio-economic development of tribal community in the upland areas of North Eastern India. Such project deserves replication in other demanding places. KEY WORDS: NERCORMP, IFAD, SHGs and NaRMGs

Productivity of Horticulture in Remote Tribal Areas of Andhra Pradesh

Productivity of Horticulture in Remote Tribal Areas of Andhra Pradesh

Traditional uses of medicinal plants practiced by the indigenous communities at Mohmand Agency, FATA, Pakistan

BackgroundPlant-derived products have an imperative biological role against certain pathogenic organisms and were considered to be a major source of modern drugs. Rural people residing in developing countries are relying on traditional herbal medical system due to their strong believe and minimum access to allopathic medicines. Hence, ethnomedicinal knowledge is useful for the maintenance of community’s based approaches under this medical system. Present study was carried out in an unexplored remote tribal area of Pakistan to investigate and document the existing ethnomedicinal knowledge on local flora.MethodsData was collected through semi-structured questionnaires from the community members and local herbalists. Use reports (URs) were counted for each species and analyzed through Linear Regression between the number of URs per family and number of plant species per family.ResultsA total of 64 medicinal plant species were recorded belonging to 60 genera and 41 families. Most frequently used plant families in ethnomedicines were Lamiaceae (8 species) and Asteraceae (7 species). Highest URs were recorded for Caralluma tuberculata N.E. Br. (49 URs) being followed by Thymus serphyllum L. (49 URs), Fagonia cretica L. (47 URs), Plantago lanceolata L. (45 URs), Periploca aphylla Decne. (44 URs), Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (44 URs), and Sideroxylon mascatense (A.DC.) T.D.Penn. (44 URs). New ethnomedicinal uses were reported for Boerhaavia elongata Brandegee and Fumaria officinalis L. with confidential level of URs from the study area. Nineteen groups of health conditions were recorded during the course of study being treated with medicinal plants. Maximum number of 30 plant species was used to treat digestive problems. Most widely practiced mode of drugs’ preparation and administration was powder. Leaves (30% plants) were the most frequently used plant parts in the preparation of ethnomedicinal recipes.ConclusionsCurrent study is an important addition to the field of ethnomedicines. The study reports important medicinal plants from an area, which has not been investigated previously. Traditional knowledge is restricted to health practitioners and elder community members. This knowledge is at the verge of extinction because younger generation is not taking interest in its learning and preservation process. Hence, there is a dire need to phytochemically and pharmacologically test the investigated taxa for the validation of traditional knowledge.

Prevalence of dermatoses among the tribal children studying in residential schools of South Chhattisgarh, India

Introduction: Dermatoses are common among schoolgoing children and lead to significant morbidity. Objective: The present study was conducted to find the prevalence of various dermatoses in children studying in residential schools of remote tribal areas. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1943 children studying in eight residential government schools over a period of 2 months (August and September 2016). Diagnosis of various dermatoses was made on the basis of detailed clinical examination and necessary investigations. Data analysis done by SPSS version 21.0 and Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variables. Results: The prevalence of dermatoses was 72.1%. Majority had single skin lesion. Among infections and infestations, scabies (13.6%), pediculosis capitis (9.2%), and pyoderma (7.5%) were most prevalent. Among the noninfective conditions, xerosis (32.63%), pityriasis alba (18.9%), acne (8.6%), and atopic dermatitis were most prevalent. The prevalence of pyoderma, tinea corporis, pityriasis versicolor, scabies, and xerosis was higher in boys while pediculosis capitis and pityriasis alba were more prevalent in girls. The prevalence of xerosis, pityriasis alba, and phrynoderma was higher in primary school students while tinea corporis, scabies, acne, and pediculosis capitis were more prevalent in high school students. Conclusions: The burden of dermatoses in residential school children is very high. Health education of children, teachers, and caregivers regarding signs and symptoms of dermatoses is warranted for early detection and timely intervention. There is urgent need to address dermatoses under school health program.

Gender of household head and the digital divide in South Africa’s settlements

In South Africa, female household headship is sometimes shown as an indicator of economic disadvantage. As a result, female-headed households (FHHs) are expected to have limited access to information communication technologies (ICTs). This study analyzed the concept of the digital divide by the gender of the household head in South African settlements based on South Africa’s annual General Household Survey data sets from 2011 to 2014, and the 2011 South African Census data. Tetrachoric correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationship between the gender of household head and access to various forms of ICTs in South African settlements. The results of the study show that for some technologies, female household headship is more closely correlated to access to ICTs for FHHs in remote tribal rural areas compared to FHHs in the more developed or more accessible informal urban areas and formal rural areas. The study shows the confounding effect of the household’s location of residence on the relationship between the gender of the household head and household access to ICTs in South Africa. The income of the household head rather than their gender is revealed as a major determinant of household access to ICTs.

Great game East: India, China, and the struggle for Asia's most volatile frontier

Since the 1950s, China and India have been locked in a monumental battle for geopolitical supremacy. Chinese interest in the ethnic insurgencies in northeastern India, the still unresolved issue of the McMahon Line, the border established by the British imperial government, and competition for strategic access to the Indian Ocean have given rise to tense gamesmanship, political intrigue, and rivalry between the two Asian giants. Former Far Eastern Economic Review correspondent Bertil Lintner has drawn from his extensive personal interviews with insurgency leaders and civilians in remote tribal areas in northeastern India, newly declassified intelligence reports, and his many years of firsthand experience in Asia to chronicle this ongoing struggle. His history of the Great Game East is the first significant account of a regional conflict which has led to open warfare on several occasions, most notably the Sino-India border war of 1962, and will have a major impact on global affairs in the decades ahead.

High rate of suicide attempt and associated psychological traits in an isolated tribal population of North-East India

Background: Cases of suicide documented earlier all over the world reflect the presence of suicide behavior in primitive world at a higher rate compared to general urban population. The cause of such behavior is thought to be different among tribes and mental health was rarely presumed to be associated. In India, several ethnographic narratives described instances of suicides among several tribes, but evaluation of psychological traits were lacking. The present study on Idu Mishmi is an attempt to further validate earlier report of high rate of suicides among them and to evaluate psychological traits. MethodsInterview and administration of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) on 218 individuals comprised the data. Bi-variate analyses and linear multiple regression were done to evaluate psychological traits in suicide behavior. ResultsIn the Idu Mishmi Population suicide attempt (14.22%) was higher than urban population in general (0.4–4.2%) and females were at higher risk. Depression (8.26%) was comparable with earlier reports, whereas anxiety syndrome (6.42%), alcohol abuse (36.24%) and eating disorder like Binge eating (6.42%), Bulimia nervosa (1.38%) were also recorded in the population. LimitationsAbsence of psychiatry clinic and mechanism of recording suicide occurrences in remote tribal area is the basic limitation of the study. ConclusionDepression and gender turned out to be significant determinants of suicide attempt in the studied population, whereas alcohol abuse was not a significant factor.

An insight into the ethnozoology of Panch Pargana area of Jharkand, India

Panch Pargana area of Jharkhand stretches from the southeastern of Ranchi District to some parts of the districts of West Singhbhum, Saraikela and borders of West Bengal. The ethnic groups residing in this area include the Munda, Oraon, Bedia and Santhal. Many insects, molluscs, fishes etc. and their products are used by certain sections of these people for therapy and prophylaxis, individually or combined with some herbs. In this study specimens of such medically useful animals have been collected after surveying remote tribal areas and ‘village markets’ called ‘hats’. Personal views of Vaidyas, Pahans, knowledgeable elderly persons and patients who have been cured were documented through questionnaire. More than eight such ethnozoological examples, seven combinants, herbs hosting insects, and a fungus have been identified in the present study.

Economic Empowerment of Rural Women Through Entrepreneurship Development Skills: Strategies, Issues and Challenges

Women in rural areas rely heavily on commercial service sectors, small-scale firms and home based micro enterprises for the livelihood of their families. Unfortunately, so far detailed and analytical study has not been undertaken on economic empowerment of rural women and their entrepreneurial development skills. An effort has been made in this paper is to identify various means of merchantable areas and required entrepreneurial skills to transform the rural women status and to bring better economic empowerment and to assess the socio economic conditions and problems of rural women, developing their entrepreneurial skills, analyzing the role of Government policies and programs in empowering women through retailing. Women’s Entrepreneurship Development (WED) underlines the role of Women agency and organizations in development - the view that women are agents of social changes rather than passive participants or victims. From this perspective, Women’s Entrepreneurship Development derives from women’s greater overall power and influence at different levels - Micro-Meso and Macro. Economic development and Economic growth in villages provide Economic empowerment to Rural Women through Entrepreneurial development skills. NGOS and Academic intelligentsias must work for the economic empowerment of rural women with the Government agencies in bringing up the effective social and economic reforms in remote tribal rural areas and provide them the much needed training skills in the areas (Food processing, Pulp making, Weaving and Lace-knitting, Herbals, spices and honey Handicrafts - wood, bamboo, clay, cloth, toymaking, retailing seasonal fruits, Horticulture, nursery, flower plants, Retail marketing of forest products) for creativity and Micro financial assistance through cooperative societies and Non Government agencies.

Cutaneous anthrax in a remote tribal area – Araku Valley, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, southern India

Cutaneous anthrax in a remote tribal area – Araku Valley, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, southern India

Socioecological Perspectives of Malaria in India: A Review

P-522 Introduction: Malaria is a major health problem in India and every year it claims the lives of thousands of people and infects millions. Although nearly eradicated, it is significantly on the rise. According to the WHO, in 2003, there were approximately 2.8 million reported cases of malaria in India. There are several opinions regarding the resurgence of malaria and majority of them blame the operational aspect, which are often too simplistic and far from the reality. The present study has tried to establish the complex social and ecological perspective of malaria occurrence in various geographical locations in the country. Methods: Data for the malaria study was retrieved from the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) of India for the years 1994 to 2001. The study also analyzed socio-ecological perspectives of epidemics derived from several secondary sources. The majority of the secondary data on epidemics was collected from online searches (Pub med, google scholar) and unpublished government reports. We also linked the malaria outbreak with the dynamics of recent ecological change due to human interactions. Results: Our analysis led to the identification of states and areas of the county yielding high number of malaria cases in the past decade and to those regions in which there was an increased rate in malaria cases during the same period. State level data analysis identified Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka among the states with high number of malaria cases. Furthermore, we recognized that the states such as Gujarat and Chandigarh were showing a decrease in malaria cases. Falciparum malaria continues to exist in remote tribal forest areas in central and eastern part of the country where health service is very poor. The appearance of vectors in several hilly areas indicates the possible role of global warming and population mobility from endemic areas. Investment and priority in malaria eradication program was found to be linked with recent epidemics. Irrational medication and improper insecticide spray resulted in resistance of parasites and vectors respectively, hence more malaria incidence and fatality. Discussion and Conclusion: This study clearly recognizes a need for better disease and vector surveillance, rational treatment and proper vector control for effective eradication of malaria in India. There is a requirement of micro and macro level analysis on demographics, population behavior and movement, irrigation, deforestation and environment change in order to implement a need based control approach.

Nicobari Tribe of the Car Nicobar Island: Keeping in Pace with Time

Tropical rain forests worldwide are home to millions of tribal population belonging to diverse communities. During last few decades population pressure and migration of settlers in tribal areas for developmental needs have currently threaten the existence of the aboriginals. Most of the ethnobotanical knowledge in India is concentrated in remote tribal areas. The use of plant species in sustainably with nature lies hidden with native people, living in vicinity with nature.

Modified leprosy elimination campaign (MLEC) for case detection in a remote tribal area in the State of Orissa, India.

A leprosy project was established in a difficult to reach area under guidelines of Government of India. The leprosy services were provided by Koraput Leprosy Eradication Project (KORALEP) and general health services by Primary Health Care (PHC). Leprosy elimination campaigns (LECs) were suggested by WHO to detect more cases in the community. A modified leprosy elimination campaign (MLEC), carried out utilizing the services of primary health care workers is discussed in this paper. Apart from the trained health workers, Anganwadi workers along with some literate people from the district were also included in the search teams. In all, 1543 cases were shortlisted from the suspects identified and on re-examination 576 cases were confirmed as active cases. Sixty percent of the cases detected were very early cases with two to three skin lesions. This could be achieved with a very brief training of health workers and involving village voluntary workers. MLEC was found to be a useful tool for case finding in such areas.

Cost recovery, sustainability and effectiveness of the tuberculosis services in a remote tribal area in India

Cost recovery, sustainability and effectiveness of the tuberculosis services in a remote tribal area in India