Scheduled Tribes in West Bengal

Scheduled Tribes in West Bengal refers to scheduled tribes in the Indian state of West Bengal.

As per the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, the following were listed as scheduled tribes in West Bengal: 1. Asur 2. Baiga, 3. Badia, Bediya, 4. Bhumij 5. Bhutia 6.Sherpa 7.Toto 8.Dukpa, Kagatay, Tibetan, Yolmo, 6. Birhor, 7. Birjia, 8. Chakma, 9. Chero, 10. Chik Baraik, 11. Garo, 12. Gond 13. Gorait, 14. Hajang, 15. Ho 16. Karmali, 17. Kharwar, 18. Khond, 19. Kisan, 20. Kora, 21. Korwa, 22. Lepcha, 23. Lodha, Kheria, Kharia, 24. Lohara, Lohra, 25. Magh, 26. Mahali, 27. Mahli, 28. Mal Pahariya, 29. Mech, 30. Mru, 31.Munda 32. Nagesia, 33. Oraon 34. Parhaiya, 35. Rabha 36. Santal 37. Savars

After 2002 amendment the Tamang and Limbu(Subba) was added in the list of ST. "The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950" (PDF). West Bengal. Retrieved 2 October 2009.</ref>

As per 2001 census scheduled tribes numbering 4,406,794 persons constituted 5.5 per cent of the total population of the state. Santals constitute more than half (51.8 per cent).of the total ST population of the state. Oraons (14 per cent), Mundas (7.8 per cent), Bhumij (7.6 per cent) and Kora (3.2 per cent) are the other major STs having sizeable population. Along with Santal, they constitute nearly 85 per cent of the state's total ST population. The Lodhas, Mahalis, Bhutias, Bedias, and Savars are the remaining STs, and having population of one per cent or more as per 2001 census report.[1]

After 2002 the population of ST had increased due to addition of major groups. Tamang(20,153 in India)[2] and Limbu(Subba)(38,067 in India)[3] has great significant number in the population. Though exact Percentage is not officially dictated.

Population and proportion of ten major STs in West Bengal, as per 2001 census, are given below:[1]

Sl No Scheduled Tribe Population Percentage of
the total
ST population
1 Santal 2,280,540 51.8
2 Oraon 617,138 14
3 Munda 341,542 7.8
4 Bhumij 336,436 7.6
5 Kora 142,789 3.2
6 Lodha 84,966 1.9
7 Mahali 76,102 1.7
8 Bhutia 60,091 1.4
9 Tamang
10 Subba (Limboo/Limbu)
11 Bedia 55,979 1.3
12 Sabar 43,599 1

More than half of the total ST population of the state is concentrated in Medinipur, Jalpaiguri, Purulia, and Bardhaman districts. Of the remaining districts, Bankura, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, and Dakshin Dinajpur have sizable ST population.[1]

References
  1. "West Bengal: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes" (PDF). Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2 October 2009.


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