"The Baiga" (by Javed Iqbal)

The Baiga tribe of Balaghat and Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh exist, live and perish quietly on the margins. There are at least 18,000 Baiga individuals completely isolated from the mainstream, in and around Kanha National Park where their rights are curtailed in the name of forest conservation.

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:20:15 +0000

The Baiga tribe of Balaghat and Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh exist, live and perish quietly on the margins. There are at least 18,000 Baiga individuals completely isolated from the mainstream, in and around Kanha National Park where their rights are curtailed in the name of forest conservation.
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They live a hand-to-mouth existence where most lack access to basic healthcare, education or any of the economic benefits of a modern India. In fact, the Baiga have one of the highest infant mortality rates amongst tribals in India.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:18:52 +0000

They live a hand-to-mouth existence where most lack access to basic healthcare, education or any of the economic benefits of a modern India. In fact, the Baiga have one of the highest infant mortality rates amongst tribals in India.
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Poverty and a non-protein diet has ensured that malnutrition is pervasive amonsgt the Baiga. Ragini (age 1) lives in the village of Chougan in Mandla and is the daughter of landless labourers. For most of her youth, she will recieve rice, pulses and occasionally, some vegetables.

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:29:36 +0000

Poverty and a non-protein diet has ensured that malnutrition is pervasive amonsgt the Baiga. Ragini (age 1) lives in the village of Chougan in Mandla and is the daughter of landless labourers. For most of her youth, she will recieve rice, pulses and occasionally, some vegetables.
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Dhir Singh's fourth daughter is eight days old and will be named in a month. He is a daily wage earner who lives around Kanha National Park who usually brings home some Rs.25-Rs.30 a day (around half a dollar). His wife is 21 years old.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:23:33 +0000

Dhir Singh's fourth daughter is eight days old and will be named in a month. He is a daily wage earner who lives around Kanha National Park who usually brings home some Rs.25-Rs.30 a day (around half a dollar). His wife is 21 years old.
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Jonu Singh is a landless labourer who lives in Jaam Tola and is sometimes lucky to earn Rs.50-60 a day.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 05:27:03 +0000

Jonu Singh is a landless labourer who lives in Jaam Tola and is sometimes lucky to earn Rs.50-60 a day.
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Bajroobai's daughter Putanbai has malaria but even as the treatment is free, the cost of visiting the doctor can cost a whole week's wages.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:27:35 +0000

Bajroobai's daughter Putanbai has malaria but even as the treatment is free, the cost of visiting the doctor can cost a whole week's wages.
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Kusiabai (age 42) last visited a government hospital at Baihar over a year and a half ago. She was sent back for she did not have money for further treatment. Now, she has dysentry.

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:42:03 +0000

Kusiabai (age 42) last visited a government hospital at Baihar over a year and a half ago. She was sent back for she did not have money for further treatment. Now, she has dysentry.
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Her village of Harra Tola, some 50 kms from Kanha has no access to clean water. There are no roads that lead to it.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:27:54 +0000

Her village of Harra Tola, some 50 kms from Kanha has no access to clean water. There are no roads that lead to it.
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The Baiga are often herded out of buffer zones and prevented from living off the more economical products of the forest. The Baiga in this picture have resorted to sell tulsi seeds for Rs.5 a kilogram at the market.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:32:23 +0000

The Baiga are often herded out of buffer zones and prevented from living off the more economical products of the forest. The Baiga in this picture have resorted to sell tulsi seeds for Rs.5 a kilogram at the market.
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Batibai will work all afternoon threshing beans, collecting wood, cooking food, tending to her two young grandchildren and her paralytic mother-in-law. The status of Baiga women is almost neglible and generation after generation remains uneducated.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:31:02 +0000

Batibai will work all afternoon threshing beans, collecting wood, cooking food, tending to her two young grandchildren and her paralytic mother-in-law. The status of Baiga women is almost neglible and generation after generation remains uneducated.
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Ironically, while most of the Baiga live in abject poverty, they all have a fondness for silver. Most of their silver is inherited and for many of the landless Baiga, all is usually sold for food.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:30:39 +0000

Ironically, while most of the Baiga live in abject poverty, they all have a fondness for silver. Most of their silver is inherited and for many of the landless Baiga, all is usually sold for food.
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A few years ago, a few landless labourers started harvesting on unattended land and are now involved in a long legal battle over ownership. The 10 acres in the background feeds some fifteen Baiga families.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:32:01 +0000

A few years ago, a few landless labourers started harvesting on unattended land and are now involved in a long legal battle over ownership. The 10 acres in the background feeds some fifteen Baiga families.
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Migration is endemic to the Baiga. About 80% of the population will travel from district to district in search of better oppurtunities. Few will find change.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:33:28 +0000

Migration is endemic to the Baiga. About 80% of the population will travel from district to district in search of better oppurtunities. Few will find change.
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Meena Qureishi is a social worker who has been working with the Baiga for the last five years. She herself has been in and out of the hospital for the last two years and has been working to unite the Baiga and ensure that government schemes are properly conducted.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:35:31 +0000

Meena Qureishi is a social worker who has been working with the Baiga for the last five years. She herself has been in and out of the hospital for the last two years and has been working to unite the Baiga and ensure that government schemes are properly conducted.
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According to her, the future of the Baiga is closely linked to forest conservation yet they are completely alienated by the process.

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:39:36 +0000

According to her, the future of the Baiga is closely linked to forest conservation yet they are completely alienated by the process.
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