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. Bhumji, 5. Bhutia, Sherpa, Toto, 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. Sauria Paharia, 38. Savar, 39. Limbu (Subba), and 40. Tamang.[1]
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. The rest of the STs are very small in population size.[2]
Population and proportion of ten major STs in West Bengal, as per 2001 census, are given below:[2]
| 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 | Bedia | 55,979 | 1.3 |
| 10 | 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.[2]
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