Changing Trends in the Lifestyle of Chenchu Tribes-A Study in Atmakur Mandal of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh

Persistent poverty in India has remained a serious challenge. The impact of targeted government programmes have seen mixed results. There is wide variation across various population segments of uptake of programmes aimed at enabling impoverished communities to move out of poverty in an enduring manner. It is common perception that the tribal communities in general, and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in particular, are arguably amongst the slowest to transition out of poverty despite concerted efforts by the government. However, a closer examination of Chenchu tribes in the Nallamalla Forests, indicates otherwise.

This study shows that the collective impact of various programmes, combined with other factors influenced by a rapidly changing economy, may be more than what is registered anecdotally. There are as many unintended impacts as intended, and there are some undesirable impacts as there are desirable ones. Whether these interventions are indeed driving a change for the good in the long term may be too early to infer. But the study showed that contrary to common perceptions even amongst development professionals, there are significant changes, even if subtle in nature, in the lifestyles and institutions of the PVTG households. While it may be too early to decide whether or not the changes are net-positive in the long run, it is clear from the study that policymakers will benefit greatly if they too take cognisance of the changes that are happening.This study is commissioned by Institute of Livelihood Research and Training (ILRT)¹ as part of its Action Research supported by the Ford Foundation.