Orissa is the second poorest state in India. Nearly 22% of the population of the state are tribals, whose position is probably the worst in the entire country. In certain development indicators, the proposed Programme area even lags behind Sub-Saharan Africa. Ecological degradation, erratic rainfall and a high risk of drought in the area have resulted in food insecurity, increasing out-migration and periodic deaths from starvation. Ecological imbalance is now seriously undermining the livelihood patterns and increasing vulnerability. A small land base, low agricultural productivity and low incomes have led to rising indebtedness, trapping tribals into a vicious circle of exploitation. The life of the tribals is increasingly vulnerable due to a persistent lack of assured entitlements to their resource base. Land alienation has deprived them of their land; forest legislation has turned them into encroachers on land they have always used; and they have also been disproportionately..
Also known as: Odisha Tribal Empowerment & Livelihoods Programme, OTELP Plus