Lockdown might hit nutrition of Karnataka’s tribal communities, warns NGO

It has sought extension of nutrition supplement programme for the entire year

Tribals and forest dwelling communities, who receive nutrition supplement from the Centre under Tribal Sub Plan for six months in a year, have sought the extension of the same for one year due to the pandemic. This is necessary since they are not getting any employment during lockdown, argue NGOs. The supplement is released through the Integrated Tribal Development Plan and was originally conceived to distribute nutritious food during the rainy season. This is because forest dwelling tribes tend to go without work during monsoon. S. Sreekanth of Development through Education (DEED), an NGO working on tribal development issues, said that the Government had released the nutritional component in advance due to the lockdown induced by the pandemic. But whatever has been released is till May 31, 2021, after which the nutritional supplement for the year will cease. This could result in malnutrition for tribals due to lack of work in view of the lockdown, said Mr. Sreekanth.