Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Livelihood opportunities for Irula tribal community
Posted On:
05 AUG 2026 12:52PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed the Rajya Sabha today that the Government promotes sustainable livelihood opportunities for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), including the Irula tribal community in Tamil Nadu, through the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). Under the scheme, TRIFED has sanctioned 37 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in 7 districts of Tamil Nadu – Tirupathur, Chengalpattu, Namakkal, Ariyalur, The Nilgiris, Tiruvannamalai and Coimbatore – with a total sanctioned amount of Rs. 120.15 lakh, of which Rs. 60.08 lakh has been released, associating 2,403 beneficiaries. Of these, 34 VDVKs cover 2,135 beneficiaries belonging to the Irula tribal community (district-wise details at Annexure-I). These VDVKs support value addition and marketing of locally available Minor Forest Produce (MFP) – including wild honey, spices, cashew, broom sticks, herbs, tamarind and soap nut – collected by the Irula community, which is sold through local markets, fairs and exhibitions. Value-added products worth Rs. 75.89 lakh have been sold by Irula beneficiaries.
Annexure-I referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of RSUQ No. 2058 for answer on 05.08.2026 regarding Livelihood opportunities for Irula tribal community
Tamil Nadu District-wise Details of Irula Tribal Community under PM-JANMAN
|
Sl. No.
|
District
|
Tribe
|
No. of VDVKs Sanctioned
|
No. of Beneficiaries
|
Sanctioned Fund (Rs. in Lakh)
|
Released Fund (Rs. in Lakh)
|
Product chosen for Value Addition
|
Sales (Rs. in Lakh)
|
|
1
|
Tirupathur
|
Irula
|
2
|
134
|
6.70
|
3.35
|
Honey & Tamarind
|
0.29
|
|
2
|
Chengalpattu
|
Irula
|
2
|
107
|
5.35
|
2.67
|
Herbs
|
1.46
|
|
3
|
The Nilgiris
|
Irula
|
3
|
360
|
18.00
|
9.00
|
Honey & Spices
|
61.79
|
|
4
|
Namakkal
|
Irula
|
4
|
240
|
12.00
|
6.00
|
Palm leaves
|
0.36
|
|
5
|
Ariyalur
|
Irula
|
5
|
261
|
13.05
|
6.53
|
Raw Cashew
|
11.31
|
|
6
|
Tiruvannamalai
|
Irula
|
8
|
449
|
22.45
|
11.22
|
Honey, Forest Yam & Tamarind
|
0.21
|
|
7
|
Coimbatore
|
Irula
|
10
|
584
|
29.20
|
14.60
|
Broom Stick, Honey, Soap Nut & Tamarind
|
0.47
|
|
Total
|
|
|
34
|
2,135
|
106.75
|
53.375
|
|
75.89
|
RN
(Release ID: 2294708)
Visitor Counter : 213