Malnutrition Among Tribal Children in South Rajasthan

Tribal children have benefitted least from India’s rapid economic growth over the last twenty years. Media and research reports continually highlight destitute conditions, morbidity and many deaths of tribal children. Statistical data from government aided surveys and estimates provided by international organizations also attest to the tenacious persistence of malnutrition, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for many of these children. It is evident that liberalization of the economy and policies of social inclusion of historically marginalized communities into the modern capitalist economy have gone awry in the case of amelioration of malnutrition among tribal children. This is particularly so in the age group of 0 to 5 years, where nearly half the children in this group are said to be malnourished and continue to suffer in mute silence even as they are denied a safe and healthy childhood. Data further suggests that children from ST groups have a poorer standing on several health indicators as compared to children from non ST groups. This paper will present an analytical report on the situation of malnutrition among tribal children in south Rajasthan based on data collected from a number of sources