Journal of Xidian University https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.

5/379 ISSN No:1001-2400

Study of the Scheduled Tribes Population with special

reference to their health, Sabang, Pingla and Debra
Block, Dist. Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal
Dipak Kumar Maity1, Kousik Das Malakar2, D. P. Kuity3
1
Department of Geography, Pingla Thana Mahavidyalaya, Paschim Medinipur, W.B.
2
Centre for the Study of Regional Development (CSRD), School of Social Sciences (SSS), Jawaharlal Nehru
University (JNU), New Delhi.
3
Department of Geology (Prof.), Pt. RS University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

Abstract— Aims and Objectives: The present study focuses on determining the status of Scheduled Tribes Population with
special reference to their health at Sabang, Pingla, and Debra Block, in Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal. The study seeks to
examine that, the Lodha peoples’ health configurations. Data and Methods: Data set compiled from Published literature and
census data and arranged a ground base field survey with the help of a schedule by random sampling method. All the
collected data were tabulated and with the help of this, diagrams were prepared for the interpretation and discussion. Results:
Lodha people are facing problems of food security. More than 90% of tribal people take liquor regularly, that's affects their
health, they belong to BPL and unconscious about their health, as a result, they become old before time. Although the
Government is financially supporting the family, where there is a case of death due to liquor intake but this is not going to
solve the problem permanently.

Keywords— Tribal health; Lodha; Chullu; Food security; Paschim Medinipur

I. INTRODUCTION
There are several tribes present in different states of India and they are known by their different names, for
example, Santal, Munda, Birhord, Kole, Bhim, Lodha, Sabar in middle-east India, in South India Chanju,
Kurumba, Badasha, etc. In the foothills of the Himalaya people of Mongolia group live and they have a
similarity with the people of Nepal, Bhutan, and China. Before the commencements of British rule, the
tribes were self-sufficient. They were almost independently dealing with their life with very limited
demands. In the paleolithic period, the vast forest and parkland of South India were inhabited by bands of
nomadic people, they were dependent on the wild fruits, tubers, and edible roots.
The evidence is crude stone implements that are found on the surface of many parts of the Deccan area.
The Chenchus of Andhra Pradesh is now mostly confined to the rocky hills and forested plateau of the
Nallamalai Range. According to the census 1971 more than 18000 Chenchus were present in this range.
According to the census 2001 and 2011 Chenchus populations are 49,232 and 64,227 respectively.
Chenchus society is the nuclear family and has a man, his wife, and their children. These are characterized
by a strong sense of independence and personal freedom. In other parts of India, there are still some
comparable groups of food gathers. These people resist the pressure to move out of the forests and change
over to a more settled life and to some extent modern life. These tribes mostly inhabit the forested part of
hills of the South West Indian state of Kerala.
In India, tribal cultivation is practiced by Konda Reddis, though most of them are now changing their this
way of life. These tribal groups of Andhra Pradesh are one of the tribal groups which depend to a great
extent on slash-and-burn cultivation or fire fallow cultivation. Although the majority of Konda Raddish is
found mainly within Andhra Pradesh a few also live in the Koraput district of Odisha. According to the
different census (1961-2011) population has increased 439.2 to 1210.8 million, whereas the increase in the
Scheduled Tribes population is 30.1 to 104.3 million and the percentage increased from 6.9 to 8.6 percent
only. The Scheduled Tribes population has much lower than the rest of the population in terms of all
parameters such as education, health, income, etc. This is due to the various forms of exploration such as
bondage, forced labour, and indebtedness to the people, by the various type of people. Due to various

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developments and projects, many a time tribes have been displaced to other places. Rehabilitation causing
various problems in tribal growth and their development. In USA average man needs 2,700 kcal per day
and average women needs 2,200 kcal per day. The recommended intake of calories per day depends on
several factors, calories is too low or too high eventually lead to health problems. Calorie (energy) is
obtained from the food and drink consumed and this energy is used in physical activity. Everyone requires
different amount of calorie each day, the amount depends on age, sex, size and level of work (activity). A
survey shows displaced tribal till the year 1990 was about 85.39 lakhs out of which 64 percent were not
rehabilitated at least with minimum facilities till the date. The government of India enacted the
Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Area (PESA -1996) with certain modifications and exceptions to the
scheduled five areas of nine states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
II. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is, to know about the Lodha peoples’ health configurations.
III. STUDY AREA
The study area (fig. 1) covers 03 Blocks namely Sabang, Pingla, and Debra Block. The total area of our
study is 869.89 km2 of which the area of
Sabang is 305.00 km2, Pingla is 222.48 km2,
and Debra is 342.41 km2. The headquarters of
Sabang , Pingla and Debra blocks are located in
22º10'34''N - 87º36'04''E , 22º16'19''N-
87º35'08''E and 22º23'26''N-87º34'02''E
respectively.

IV. DATABASE AND METHODOLOGY

Published literature and census data were
collected and used in this study. A field survey
with the help of a schedule by random sampling
method, four hundred families were selected as
samples. All the collected data were tabulated
and with the help of this, diagrams were
prepared for the interpretation and discussion.
The study includes three blocks Sabang, Pingla,
and Debra from which 100, 200, and 100
families wear included respectively.

V. DEMOGRAPHY
As per the 2011 Census of India total
Fig. 1
population of our study area was 7,53,920.
Total population of Sabang was 2,70,492,
Pingla was 1,94,809 and Debra was 2,88,619. It can be cited that Schedule Cast and Schedule Tribes
population of Sabang block are 13.33 % ( 36,064) and 6.22 % ( 16,818), in Pingla block 8.43% ( 16,428),
9.92% (19,322) and in Debra block 12.99% ( 37,503) 20.48% ( 59.122) respectively.

VI. OBSERVATION
It is observed that the maximum tribes are lying in BPL category (Below Poverty Line). Which is reflected
in their food habit. In general, for a healthy life, 1800 Calories to 2100 Calories are required per day but in

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Journal of Xidian University https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.5/379 ISSN No:1001-2400

this area, most of them take 1528.87 Calories per day. This lack of calories directly influences their health
and they become old before schedule normal time.
They take mostly rice and wheat, meat, fish, fruits, egg, milk, and vegetables are very less. Generally,
these are included occasionally. Still tribal believe in traditional treatment such as by Ojha, Tantra,
Mantra, or by roots, stem, or leaf of certain medicinal plants. Although their sense of health care is
gradually increasing even than only 65% of childbirth is taking place in the Hospital. Still, tribals believe
to give their birth of a child in their residence before an experience leady (dai). Although the nursing home
is present but due to financial constraint they do not prefer to go to the nursing home.
Pregnant ladies are not getting proper nutrients even than they are giving birth to normal babies because
they are living and believing the natural system. Still, there is a lack of awareness about the medical
facilities available in their area. They go for medical treatment but they are not very clear about the
medical assistant they are availing. The tribal's are more dependent and attracted to register medical
practitioner (RMP) that is due to lower cost and easily approachable. As the babies grow in the natural
system it seems that the natures protect them. The mortality rate of babies is low, which is a unique one.
The babies commonly suffer cough, cold, and fever along with other diseases such as Pox, Broncaities,
Janddis, Hepatitis, etc.
Liquor is commonly produced by them for their use and it is locally known as "Chullu". This is harmful to
their health because for its preparation they use several harmful materials such as low quality of Gur
(jaggery), unknown harmful tablets. It is manifest that fifteen (15) Indian dies every day due to alcohol
consumption. (http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/one-indian-dies-every-96-minutes-due-
to-alcohol-consumption-2818493/).

VII. CONDITIONS OF LODHA

Conditions of Lodha's during the British Period:
In the Indian constitution, there is a list of different casts of different states who belong to Schedule Cast
and Schedule Tribe. The lodhas residing in Pingla, Debra, and Sabang Block of Paschim Medinipur of
West Bengal belong to Schedule Tribe. The Lodhas has was the worst sufferer during the British period.
Revenue collection was the main aim of British Rulers. After collecting revenue from the fertile land of
Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, the greedy British ruler tried to collect more revenue from Gangalmohal,
fellow land, and land property of God. Consequently, they distributed the forest of Gangalmohal among
the local landlords against the revenue, at the same time they implemented a ban on cutting trees and
hunting animals. Between 1765 - 1871(more than hundred years) British rulers implemented a series of
rules such as the Indian Forest Policy, Land Seizing Policy, and Criminal Tribal Act that went against the
Lodhas. Because the British rulers was not satisfied with the revenue collected from fertile land only.
They cleverly introduced two-act such as Indian Forest Policy, Land Seizing Policy. The chief purpose of
Indian Forest Policy was to bring the barren land under tax collection. Criminal Tribal Act., it is mention
that Lodhas are criminal.
Conditions of Lodha's after British Period:
As per historical evidence, many villages of the western part of West Bengal were greatly affected by
foreign attackers. The folk verses of this locality bear the evidence of these attackers.
As per example:
"Chhele ghumallo para juralo bargi allo desha,
Bulbullite dhan khayachha khajna debo kise."

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Children sleep with the fear of foreign attackers, a deep silence prevails in the village. Not only the
children but also the grown-ups were worried about the payment of revenue in the form of corn but most
of the corns are eaten by birds.
Conditions of Lodha's after Independence:
After independence new articles have been included in Indian Constitution for upliftment of the population
belonging to Schedule Tribes. The law implemented by the British Ruler to describe the lodhas as criminal
was banned in 1952, besides this several social works like the establishment of schools, digging of wells
for drinking water, distribution of brick houses, and so on were introduced in the Lodhas populated areas
of Jhargram, West Bengal. Though the objects of the Govt. were great but there exists lacks proper
implementation. The survey shows that much improvement was not found among the lodhas of
Vallukkhuli, Dalkathi, Chindivilla, Hatchali, Dohiguri, Lodhashuli, Khamashuli, Pathardahari,
Bachhurdoba, Guptamoni, and other villages. In spite of several forward steps taken by the Govt. for their
improvement no satisfactory results have come out.
The following table 1 shows the Proximate Kcal all the values are per 100 gm of edible portion, table 2
represents the daily calorie requirement for men, table 3 represents the daily calorie requirement for
women, table 4 is recommended composition of a balanced diet for Indians (ICMR) and table 5 is
expressed excise revenue collection for the last 9 years in West Bengal.

Nutritive Value of some Indian Foods

Table 1 : Proximate Kcal
all the values are per 100 gm of edible portion
Sl.no. Name of the food stuff Energy Kcal
1 Rice (bran) 393
2 Rice (flakes), Chira 346
3 Rice (puffed) 325
4 Wheat (bulger) 356
5 Wheat (whole) 346
6 Wheat bread (brown) 244
8 Wheat bread (white) 245
9 Bengal gram (whole) 360
10 Bengal gram (dhal) Cholar dhal 372

11 Black gram dhal 347

12 Green gram dhal 348
13 Lentil 343
14 Soyabean 432
15 Agathi , Bak 1130
16 Betel leaves, Pan 44
17 Onion 41
18 Patoto 97
19 Radish, white 17
20 Brinjal 24
21 Bitter ground, Karle 25
22 Bottle ground, Lau 12
23 Cauli flower 30
24 Cucumber 13
25 Drum stick, Sajna 26
26 Bottle ground leaves 39
27 Bitter ground small 60
28 Amla 58

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29 Apple 59
30 Banana 116
31 Dates 317
32 Grapes, pale green 71
33 Guava 51
34 Mango 44
35 Orange 48
36 Papaya 27
37 Pineapple 46
38 Tomato 20
39 Egg hen 173
40 Egg duck 181
41 Mutton, muscle 194
42 Beef, meal 410
43 Milk cow's 67
44 Curd 60
45 Ghee, cow's 900
46 Ghee, buffalo 900
47 Fish,katla 111
48 Fish,hilsa 273
49 Fish,rahu 97
50 Jaggery, cane 383
51 Sugar cane 398
Source: Molly Sam and N. Geetha, A Text book of Nutrition for Nurses.

Table 2 :Daily Calorie Requirement For Men

Weight Age18to 35 Age36 to55 Age over 55
60 kg 2480 2300 1900
65 Kg 2620 2400 2000
70 Kg 2760 2480 2100
75 Kg 2900 2560 2200
80 Kg 3050 2670 2300
85 Kg 3200 2760 2400
90 Kg 3500 3000 2600
and above
Source: http://www.achhikhabar.com/2011/10/23/how-many-calories-per-
day-in-hindi/

Table 3: Daily Calorie Requirement For Women

Weight Age 18 to 35 Age 36 to 55 Age over 55

45 Kg 1760 1570 1430

50 Kg 1860 1660 1500
55 Kg 1950 1760 1550
60 Kg 2050 1860 1600
65 Kg 2150 1960 1630

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70 Kg 2250 2050 1660

75 Kg- 2400 2150 1720
and above

Source: http://www.achhikhabar.com/2011/10/23/how-many-calories-per-
day-in-hindi/

Table 4 : The recommended composition of balanced diet for Indians (

ICMR)
Food Items Adult man Adult Woman
Sedentary Moderate Heavy Sedentary Moderate
Cereals 460 gm 520 gm 670 gm 410 gm 440 gm
Pulses 40 gm 50 gm 60 gm 40 gm 45 gm
Green leafy 40 gm 40 gm 40 gm 100 gm 100 gm
Vegetables
Other 60 gm 70 gm 80 gm 40 gm 40 gm
vegetables
Roots & 50 gm 60 gm 80 gm 50 gm 50 gm
tubers
Milk &milk 150 ml 200 ml 250 ml 100 ml 150 ml
products
Oils and fats 40 gm 45 gm 65 gm 20 gm 25 gm
Fruits 60 gm 60 gm 60 gm 60 gm 60 gm
Sugar & 30 gm 35 gm 55 gm 20 gm 20 gm
Jaggery
For non-vegetarians, pulses should be reduced 50% + one egg or 30 gm fish or meat. If
no pulses two eggs or 50 gm meat.
Source: Molly Sam and N. Geetha, A Text book of Nutrition for Nurses.

Table 5 : Excise Revenue collection for the last 9 years in

West Bengal
Sl.no. Year Total Revenue (Cores)

1 2010-2011 1769.74
2 2011-2012 2101.95
3 2012-2013 2609.82
4 2013-2014 N.A.
5 2014-2015 3810.4
6 2015-2016 4418.14
7 2016-2017 5524.01
8 2017-2018 6355.85
9 2018-2019 6995.55
Source: www.wbexcise.gov.in

According to data of excise (W.B.) department, 2010 to 2019 shows the amount of revenue collection
from liquor Rs 1769.74, 2101.95, 2609.82, 3810.4, 4418.14, 5524.01, 6355.85, and 6995.55 cores

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respectively. In which country spirit share amount Rs 48786.95, 54398.69, and 84810.58, 86945.55,
90884.66, 95667.01, 102530.4, 110225.9, and 119005 lakhs respectively for the year 2010 to 2019.

Table 6 : Excise Revenue collection from country spirit for the

last 9 years in West Bengal and Paschim Medinipur
Sl.no. Year West Bengal Paschim Medinipur

Total Revenue Total Revenue (Lakhs)

(Lakhs)
1 2010-2011 48786.95 2183.515

2 2011-2012 54398.69 2753.3

3 2012-2013 84810.58 4699.68

4 2013-2014 86945.55 5421.01

5 2014-2015 90884.66 6355.08

6 2015-2016 95667.01 7355.36

7 2016-2017 102530.4 8255.66

8 2017-2018 110225.9 9124.22

9 2018-2019 119005 9922.01

Source: www.wbexcise.gov.in

Fig. 2

According to data of excise (W.B.) department, 2010 to 2019 shows the amount of revenue collection
from country spirit Rs 48786.95, 54398.69, and 84810.58, 86945.55, 90884.66, 95667.01, 102530.4,
110225.9, and 119005 lakhs respectively. It is very interesting to know that although the revenue of the
total liquor has increased the quantity of country spirit has gone down. This decrease in the percentage of
only country spirit in West Bengal highlights that either they are taking English or low-quality liquor,
known as "Chullu".
According to data of excise (W.B.) department, 2010 to 2019 shows that only Paschim Medinipur
Districts' amount of revenue collection from country spirit Rs 2183.515, 2753.3, and 4699.68, 5421.01,
6355.08, 7355.36, 8255.66, 9124.22, and 9922.01 lakhs respectively (Table – 6 and fig. 2).

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VIII. CONCLUSION
The present study uncovers the fact and also ameliorate the understanding of the different aspects related
to tribes of Debra, Sabang, and Pingla Blocks. More than 90% of tribal people take liquor regularly but
this becomes 99.99 % during their festival. Because they belong to BPL and also unconscious about their
health, as a result, they become old before time. Lack of good food and intake of unscientifically prepare
liquor also pushes them towards the death line.
Although the Government is financially supporting the family, where there is a case of death due to liquor
but this is not going to solve the problem permanently. The government may provide properly prepared
liquor at the subsidies rate. So they can avoid the preparation of liquors by the unscientific method
antaking these harmful liquors. The authorities involved in determining the inclusion and exclusion of
Tribes in the list of ST should adopt a mechanism of consolation with the major states and those with
tribes’ populations on the basis of which a comprehensive methodology with clearly defined parameters
should arrive.
There is no clear rational Tribal Policy laid down in the direction and all-round improvements of Tribal
development.

Acknowledgment
The authors thank anonymous reviewer for constructive comments.

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