Adivasi societies are particularly present in the Indian Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Mizoram, and other northeastern states, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Many smaller tribal groups are quite sensitive to ecological degradation caused by modernization. Both commercial forestry and intensive agriculture have proved destructive to the forests that had endured swidden agriculture for many centuries
The Scheduled Tribe groups who were identified as more isolated from the wider community and who maintain a distinctive cultural identity have been categorised as 'Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups' (PTGs) (previously known as Primitive Tribal Groups) by the Indian Government. So far seventy-five tribal communities have been identified as 'particularly vulnerable tribal groups' in different States of India. These hunting, food-gathering, and some agricultural communities, have been identified as less acculturated tribes among the tribal population groups and in need of special programmes for their sustainable development. The tribes are awakening and demanding their rights for special reservation quota for them.
Tribals are not part of the caste system, and usually constitute egalitarian societies. Christian tribals do not automatically lose their traditional tribal rules.
Most tribes are concentrated in heavily forested areas that combine inaccessibility with limited political or economic significance. Historically, the economy of most tribes was subsistence agriculture or hunting and gathering. Tribal members traded with outsiders for the few necessities they lacked, such as salt and iron. A few local Hindu craftsmen might provide such items as cooking utensils.
Some adivasi tribes:
- Kukis Tribes inhabiting parts of Tripura, Manipur, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya
- Apatani
- Munda people
- Thakar Peoples of Maharashta
- Andamanese
- Bodos
- Bhils
- Chakma
- Chenchu
- Dhodia Tribes of Gujarat
- Gonds
- Khasis
- indigenous people of Lakshadweep
- Kurichiya
- Kurumbar
- Tripuris
- Mizos
- Malhar Koli
- Mundaris
- Nagas
- Nicobarese
- Oraon
- Santals
- Saharia
- Todas
- Maldharis of Gujarat.
- Cholanaikkan
- Kokana / Kokani
- Warli
- Katkari / Kathodi
- Kisan Tribe
- Dongria Kondh
- Bonda
- Kutia Kondh
- Bishapus A'Mishapus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adivasi
Source of the picture: http://deibel.net/india/inst5.html