Toto Tribe

TOTO TRIBE

• The Toto tribe is an indigenous community that is primarily found in the village of Totopara, located in Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India.
• The tribe has been facing significant challenges in preserving its unique culture, language, and way of life due to its small population size and external pressures.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION & HABITAT

• Totopara Village: The Toto tribe is concentrated in Totopara village, situated in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, near the Bhutanese border.
• Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary: Totopara is located within the periphery of the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, which is known for its rich biodiversity.
• Torsa River: The village is situated on the banks of the Torsa River, which flows between India and Bhutan, providing the community an ecologically rich environment.

ETHNIC & ANTHROPOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

• Tibetan-Mongoloid Ethnicity: The Toto tribe belongs to the Tibetan-Mongoloid ethnic group, which ties them to the broader Himalayan cultural and ethnic traditions.
• Population and Endangerment: With just over 1,600 members, the Toto tribe is considered one of the most endangered tribes in the world.
• This small population has made the tribe vulnerable to extinction, with many members struggling to preserve their traditional way of life.

Tribal Classification:

• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG): The Toto tribe is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• This classification recognizes their vulnerable status due to their small population size, cultural practices, and economic dependency on traditional activities.

CULTURAL & SOCIAL STRUCTURE

• Endogamous and Exogamous Clans: The Toto tribe is structured around 13 exogamous clans, meaning that individuals are encouraged to marry outside their clan.
• However, they practice endogamy, meaning marriages within the broader tribe are common.
• Monogamy and Anti-Dowry: The Toto people follow a unique practice of having only one wife and do not engage in dowry practices, setting them apart from many neighboring tribal communities.
• Housing: The traditional housing of the Toto people consists of elevated bamboo huts with thatched roofs, adapted to their environment and lifestyle.

Language:

• Toto Language: The language spoken by the Toto people is a Sino-Tibetan language, which is written in the Bengali script.
• This language is integral to their identity but is at risk of disappearing as fewer younger members speak it.

Beliefs and Religion:

• Hinduism and Nature Worship: The Toto people consider themselves Hindus and also worship nature.
• They have unique religious practices that integrate animism and nature worship, reflecting their deep connection to the natural world around them. 

ECONOMY & OCCUPATION

• Traditional Occupation: Historically, the Toto tribe was involved in food gathering and practiced a slash-and-burn style of cultivation.
• This method of farming was sustainable for their small community, but it posed challenges as the population grew and external factors changed the landscape.
• Porter Services: The Toto people historically earned money by acting as porters, carrying oranges from Bhutanese orchards to Totopara, which is a significant part of their economy.
• Agriculture and Diversification: Over time, the community has shifted to more settled agriculture, growing crops for sustenance and trade.
• The economic practices of the Toto people have diversified, but they still maintain traditional ways of living.

CHALLENGES & SURVIVAL

• Risk of Extinction: Due to their small population, isolation, and loss of cultural identity, the Toto tribe is at risk of disappearing. The tribe has been actively involved in efforts to preserve their culture, language, and way of life, but the odds remain stacked against them.
• External Pressures: The tribe faces challenges from both external development pressures (such as encroachment and modern agriculture) and internal challenges, including a declining birth rate and the younger generation moving away for better opportunities.

WHO ARE PVTGs?

• PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups who are in need of greater support and development.
• Out of the 705 Scheduled Tribes in India, 75 have been identified as PVTGs and are spread across 17 states and one Union Territory.
• Government of India follows the following criteria for identification of PVTGs
  • Pre-agricultural level of technology
  • Low level of literacy
  • Economic backwardness
  • A declining or stagnant population.
• In 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups.
• An additional 23 groups were added to the category in 1993.
• Some Examples: Cholanaikayan (Kerala), Kathodi (Gujarat), Jarawas (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Koraga (Karnataka)

KEY GOVT SCHEMES & INITIATIVES

• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana: Launched to improve infrastructure in tribal villages by integrating DAPST
• The aim is to uplift the living standards of tribal communities through better access to resources and amenities.
• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyaan (PM-JANMAN): Launched on 15th November 2023, with a Rs 24,104 crore budget, the scheme focuses on 75 PVTG communities (11 lakh families) in 18 states and 1 UT.
• The initiative involves relaxing norms for road construction, setting up Anganwadis, providing electricity, and ensuring water supply.

Infrastructure Relaxations:

• Road construction, Anganwadi centers, and health facilities in tribal areas have relaxed norms under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Jal Jeevan Mission to improve accessibility and essential services in tribal regions.
• Special provisions have also been made for solar power to provide electricity to un-electrified households in remote tribal areas.

Educational Initiatives:

• Scholarship Schemes: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements 5 scholarship schemes benefiting over 35 lakh students annually, with an increased budget of Rs 2500 crore in 2023-24.
• The integration of State and Tribal portals with DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) has streamlined the scholarship distribution process.
• Establishment of EMRS (Eklavya Model Residential Schools): A new Central Sector Scheme aims to establish 440 new schools in tribal blocks by 2026. These schools will offer education on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas. Over 728 schools (including 288 already sanctioned) will be established, with a significant budget for infrastructure development, including sports centers and teacher recruitment.

Livelihood and Economic Empowerment:

• Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): Focuses on livelihood-driven development through the creation of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and Van Dhan Producer Enterprises, which link tribal communities to market linkages for Minor Forest Produce (MFP). Rs 1612 crore has been allocated to this mission for 5 years.
• Van Dhan Karyakram: Started in 2019, this program has sanctioned over 3800 Dhan Vikas Kendras covering 10 lakh people across 28 states and UTs. 87 MFPs have been added to the list of products eligible for Minimum Support Price (MSP), benefiting tribal communities engaged in forest produce collection.

Health and Nutrition:

• Sickle Cell Disease Mission: Aiming for the eradication of sickle cell disease by 2047, the government has initiated a mission to test 7 crore people and implement treatment and preventive measures.
• Mobile Medical Units and PVTG Hostels: Under PM-JANMAN, provisions have been made for mobile medical units, multipurpose centers, and PVTG hostels to improve health and nutrition in tribal areas.

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