After the formation of the new State of Telangana on the 2nd June, 2014, the State Government has attached top-most priority for the development of Scheduled Tribe population in the State, which accounts for 9.34 per cent of the total population (as per 2011 census), which is significantly higher compared to the percentage of 6.99 STs in the combined State of AP. Many innovative schemes like Kalyana Lakshmi for financial assistance to ST girls of marriageable age have been planned by the Tribal Welfare Department.
Koya tribe is the largest adivasi tribe of Telangana. The community is spread across the telugu speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In Telangana they are spread in erstwhile districts of Khammam and Warangal. The population of Koyas is 381354 as per 2011 census.
Traditional habitat of Gonds in Telangana lies north of the River Godavari in the forests of erstwhile Adilabad District, Their Population according to 2001 census is about 297846. They speak Gondi.
Naikpods are living in areas lying on the banks of river Godavari starting from Nizamabad to Bhadrachalam. Their population sis shown as part of the Gonds.
Pardhans live in symbiosis with their Gond patrons. Though their Mother tongue is Marathi, they sing the mythologies of Gonds in Gondi language. Their populations is around 24,776 as per 2011 census
The traditional habitat of Andhs in Telangana is Adilabad District and its adjoining mandals of Nirmal and Asifabad Districts. Their population is 12882 as per 2011 census.
Kolams live in the forests and foothills of hill ranges in erstwhile Adilabad District. Their population according to 2011 census is 44805.
Chenchus are traditional dwellers of Nallamala Hills and Forests across the banks of River Krishna from the confluence of River Bhima and estuary of Bay of Bengal. According to 2011 census their population is 16912.
Thotis live in symbiosis with their Gond patrons. They call themselves as Birdu Gonds since they recite the Gond mythologies and eulogies during their auspicious and inauspicious rites and rtuals. Their Mother tongue is Gondi. Their population is around …. as per 2011 census.
Kondareddis live in the deep valleys and forests of lower Godavari basin adjoining the areas of Andhra Pradesh also. In Telangana they are prominently found in eastern part of Bhadradri Kothagudem District. Their population is around 2000 as per 2011 census.
Lambadis are inhabiting throughout the state of Telangana. They prefer to call themselves as Gorboli, Banjara and Sugali. Their population according to 2011 census is 20,44,039. They live in exclusive settlements called thandas.
Yerukala Tribe is found throughout the state of Telangana though they call themselves kurru, they are called yerukala since their women are experts in fortune telling(yeruka chepputa). Their population according to 2011 census is 144128. They speak their own dialect called yerukala basha or kurru basha which includes words from telugu, tamil and kannada.
The Tribal welfare department (i) Constitutional safegaurd: Ensuring effective implementation of the Rule of Reservation in favour of STs in the State and special reservations for STs in Scheduled Areas (ii)Welfare: Education, Health , Livelyhood etc. of Tribals (iii)Development Schemes: Infrastructure Development-Road Network, Educational infrastructure, Girijan Bhavanas, Domestic Ration depots, Wellness centres , Strengthening Social Capital .
The disadvantaged communities shall be empowered to overcome all social, economic, cultural and psychological barriers through self-managed organizations. They will attain higher productivity with improved skills and asset base and utilize resources to full potential and gainful access to services.
Our mission is to enable the disadvantaged communities perceive possibilities for change and bring about desired change by exercising informed choices through collective action