Question : Branding of Tribal Children

(a) the names of the States having the highest number of tribal population along with the cumulative number of tribal children branding (including by hot object) in various States of the country;
(b) whether the Government has taken any measures to curb such incidents and if so, the details of the incidents reported during the last three years;
(c) whether the Government has a headcount of traditional healers in various States across the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to increase awareness amongst tribal population about the harmful effects of branding?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

(a) & (b): The States of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have major concentration of Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in the country. The information relating to cumulative number of branding of ST children (including by hot object) in various States of the country, is not centrally maintained by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. There are statutory Acts / guidelines of Government of India for protecting rights of children.

(c) & (d): The details of traditional healers in the country are not available centrally with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. However, the Ministry is propagating to the States / UTs the documentation of tribal medicine and medicinal plants / practices not only as very useful medical practices but also for the sake of bio-diversity and also for preservation of India’s rich heritage.

(e) Government of India from time to time through print, electronic and social media provides awareness for various programmatic /schematic interventions on pan India basis including for ST population. This includes awareness /advisories on health issues and for utilizing the health infrastructure, etc.
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