Tribal Welfare in Shahdol: PSEF's Work for Adivasi Communities in MP

The Adivasi Heart of Shahdol

Shahdol district is home to a rich tapestry of Adivasi (indigenous tribal) communities — the Gond, Baiga, Kol, and Oraon — who have lived in harmony with the forests of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges for millennia. They are among India's most ancient peoples, with unique languages, medicinal knowledge, art forms, and spiritual traditions.

Yet today, these communities face compounding challenges: poverty, landlessness, nutritional deficiencies, early marriage, school dropout, and inadequate access to government entitlements. PSEF works specifically with tribal communities in Shahdol to protect their rights, strengthen their livelihoods, and preserve their culture.

Forest Rights Act: Securing Land for Adivasis

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 gives tribal communities the right to live on and cultivate forest land they have traditionally occupied. But in Shahdol, thousands of tribal families still haven't received their Van Adhikar Pattas (forest rights certificates) due to bureaucratic delays, lack of awareness, or documentation gaps.

PSEF's Forest Rights Programme:

• Mapping traditional land use — documenting which communities have historically farmed which land
• Preparing FRA claims — collecting evidence (witness testimonials, photographs, old documents)
• Submitting to Forest Rights Committees at gram sabha and sub-divisional level
• Following up with district-level authorities
• Legal support for disputed cases

In 2024–25, PSEF assisted 280 tribal families in filing and following up FRA claims. Of these, 165 received their pattas — granting them legal security over the land they had farmed for generations.

Education: Keeping Adivasi Children in School

The school dropout rate among Adivasi children in Shahdol is significantly higher than the state average, especially for girls in Classes 6–10.

Root causes PSEF addresses:

• Long distances to school — PSEF provides cycle scholarships
• No study materials — PSEF distributes books, bags, and stationery
• Need to work — PSEF connects families to MGNREGA so parents can earn without sending children to work
• Language barriers — Some PSEF teachers speak local Gondi dialect

PSEF also facilitates enrolment in Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) — high-quality residential schools for tribal children, fully government-funded.

Health: Addressing Unique Challenges

Tribal communities in Shahdol face specific health vulnerabilities:

• Sickle cell disease — high prevalence among Baiga and Gond communities; PSEF runs free sickle cell screening camps
• Malaria — forest areas are high-risk; PSEF distributes insecticide-treated bed nets and rapid test kits
• Malnutrition — particularly among children under 5; PSEF works with Anganwadis to improve supplementary nutrition

PSEF also trains Community Health Workers from within tribal communities — women who speak the local language and are trusted by villagers.

Preserving Tribal Culture

PSEF believes development should not mean cultural erasure. The foundation actively:

• Documents traditional medicinal knowledge from tribal elders
• Supports Gond art and Baiga painting — connecting artisans to urban markets and exhibitions
• Organises annual Adivasi Cultural Mela — celebrating traditional music, dance, and crafts
• Advocates against cultural appropriation — ensuring tribal artisans receive fair credit and compensation

Nutrition: Tackling Primitive Tribal Group (PTG) Hunger

The Baiga community is classified as a Primitive Tribal Group (PTG) — among the most vulnerable communities in India. PSEF works specifically with Baiga families in remote forest hamlets:

• Distribution of nutritional supplementary food (chhatua, sattu, iron tablets)
• Working with ICDS Anganwadis to ensure Baiga children are enrolled and receive hot cooked meals
• Connecting Baiga women to PM Matru Vandana Yojana maternity benefits

PSEF's Tribal Welfare Promise

PSEF's tribal welfare work is guided by one principle: "Nothing about us without us." Every programme is co-designed with tribal community members, in their language, respecting their decision-making processes.

Upcoming Tribal Camp Schedule (Shahdol District)

• Beohari Block — every 2nd Tuesday, Gram Panchayat hall
• Jaisinghnagar Block — every 1st Thursday
• Gohparu Block — every 3rd Wednesday (mobile camp)

All services free. Bring Aadhaar, ration card, and any existing land documents.

How You Can Help

• Donate towards FRA legal support: ₹3,000 covers one family's documentation and filing costs
• Sponsor a tribal child's education: ₹5,000/year covers books, bags, and cycle
• CSR partnerships welcome: pujafoundation95@gmail.com

Contact PSEF:

• WhatsApp: +91-8969886176
• Office: Behind Nalanda Hotel, Near New Bus Stand, Shahdol (MP)

The forests of Shahdol have sheltered Adivasi communities for thousands of years. PSEF is committed to ensuring that modernity strengthens — not destroys — their world.