PAPER ID: Vol. III Issue I (April-June 2025 ) /1-8/1
AUTHOR : Dr. Siddappa D O
TITLE:AN OVERVIEW OF HEALTH RESEARCH AMONG TRIBES IN KARNATAKA STATE
ABSTRACT: The southern Indian state of Karnataka, historically associated with numerous esteemed kingdoms and princely states in the Deccan region, boasts a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and anthropological heritage. It is home to 4,248,987 tribal individuals, with 50,870 classified as belonging to primitive groups. Although they constitute only 6.95 percent of the state’s total population, the Government of India recognizes 50 distinct tribes residing in Karnataka, 14 of which, including two primitive tribes, are indigenous to the region. Generations of extreme poverty and neglect have adversely affected their health and nutrition. Despite initiatives from both governmental and non-governmental organizations, there is a notable lack of literature assessing the health status of these tribal communities. Interestingly, many of these tribes, originally inhabitants of the Western Ghats forests, possess extensive knowledge of various medicinal plants and their applications in traditional and folklore medicine, which have been the focus of several scientific investigations. This article aims to catalog and map the diverse tribes of Karnataka while reviewing existing studies on the health of these ethnic groups and the insights gained regarding their traditional health practices.
KEYWORDS: South India, Health care. Scheduled tribes, Karnataka state, Traditional medicine, Herbal medicine, Tribal medicine
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