Report on Tribal Camp and Social Work extension activities for MSW Students 2023

The department of Social Work, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Education Centre
K R S Road, Metagalli, Mysuru had organized a 1 week tribal camp for MSW students between 17.12.2023 – 24.12.2023 in BR Hills, Yelandur Taluk, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka.

The tribal camp, spanning eight days, was a transformative experience for the social work students and me. This initiative aimed to provide students with a hands-on understanding of the challenges faced by tribal communities, fostering cultural sensitivity, and honing practical social work skills.

Objectives:

Cultural Immersion: Gain insights into the tribal culture, traditions, and way of life.
Community Engagement: Establish meaningful connections with the tribal community.
Skill Development: Apply social work principles to address community needs.
Environmental Awareness: Understand the delicate balance between tribal communities and their natural surroundings.
Responsibility: To understand their role as social workers and their need for the community
Pre-camp Preparation:
Before the camp, students underwent orientation sessions on tribal culture, history, and the challenges faced by these communities. The curriculum was designed to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical fieldwork, preparing students for the upcoming experience.

On 14.12.2023, the faculty of the department Dr. Bhavana and Dr. Indushekar along with 2 students visited the camp site as a part of preliminary visit. The visit was to check the camp site for Social Work extension activities for II MSW course trainees.

Firstly, the team visited VGKK and met Mr. Suresh, Co-ordinator and discussed the purpose of the visit and requested for accommodation for students and faculty in the Tribal Hostel, VGKK campus.

Later, the team visited Tribal health research centre, Institute of Public health, Adavi organization, Ashoka trust for research in ecological environment (Atree) and horticulture department sub branch. The Team met the tribal leader and the first Soliga tribe to get higher education Dr. Madhegowda for guidance and support. Then met tribal leaders Sri Jadegowda, Sri Jademadha, Sri Karanikyathegowda, rangamma Siddamma and discussed about the visit. Then the team visited bangale podu hamlet and interacted with the community people and ended the visit by visiting Biligiri ranganatha swamy temple.

Biligiriranga Hills, commonly known as BR Hills, is a picturesque hill range located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, India. Nestled in the Western Ghats, BR Hills is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and its significance as a wildlife sanctuary.

1. Geography and Landscape: BR Hills is situated at the confluence of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, creating a unique ecosystem. The hills are characterized by lush greenery, dense forests, and a varied topography that includes valleys, plateaus, and streams.
2. Wildlife Sanctuary: The Biligiriranga Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1974, spans across an area of approximately 540 square kilometers. It is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including various species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. The sanctuary is particularly known for its population of Asian elephants.
3. Flora and Fauna: The region boasts a diverse range of plant species, from moist deciduous forests to scrublands. Wildlife enthusiasts can encounter a variety of animals, such as Indian gaurs, sloth bears, leopards, sambar deer, and several species of primates. The sanctuary is also a haven for birdwatchers, featuring a plethora of avian species.
4. BRT Wildlife Sanctuary: The Biligiriranga Hills is part of the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT Wildlife Sanctuary), named after the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple situated atop the hills. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, and the annual ‘Ratha Yatra’ attracts pilgrims and tourists alike.
5. Trekking and Adventure: BR Hills offers exciting opportunities for trekking, with trails leading to vantage points that provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. The trek to the temple at the hill’s summit is particularly popular among visitors.
6. Conservation Efforts: Conservation initiatives have been implemented to protect the unique biodiversity of BR Hills. The sanctuary plays a crucial role in preserving the natural habitat and ensuring the survival of endangered species.
7. Cultural Significance: Apart from its ecological importance, BR Hills holds cultural significance due to the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple. The temple is revered by the local communities, and its festivals are celebrated with traditional fervor.

People in the Biligiriranga Hills live in an ever-changing space. In the past, abundant nellikai (amla/gooseberry), lichen, and forest honey were the main non-timber forest produce here. Medicinal plants and leafy greens were also collected while walking around in the forest. However, with thick lantana bushes, and restrictions on the use of fire to manage them, walking around the forest has become riskier. Add to that, the dominant narrative of protected areas as inviolate spaces, which drives our conservation efforts, especially in tiger reserves.

Now, where possible, many villages are surrounded by shrubs of coffee, which has a good demand in the market. Large coffee estates have been at the core of this forest for many decades, but coffee grown by the local people, the Soligas, is a comparatively new trend. Other forms of agriculture are difficult, as the crops are often raided by animals. People, especially the youth, also migrate outside now, looking for wage labour, coming back for important cultural events, and to tend to the land and home.

Camp Activities:

DAY 1: 17.12.2023

On 17.12.2023, the team of students and faculty reached BR hills by 9 30 Am. Arrangements like stay, groceries, fruits and vegetables were made by the students.

The stay was arranged in VGKK hostel meant for tribal children. The team cleaned the hostel, made arrangements for cooking. Later, at 2 pm, an orientation visit to VGKK was organized where Mr. Suresh, Co-ordinator, Vivekananda Giri jana Kalyana Kendra gave a detailed information about the organization and its Founder. Later the students visited Abdul Kalam Science park, VGKK library, Gym and Hospital.

Then the students met a team of THRC who teach Frisbee.

Frisbee, commonly known as a flying disc, can be used as a therapeutic tool for rehabilitation patients in various ways. Here are some potential benefits and applications:

Motor Skills Development: Throwing and catching a frisbee can help improve fine and gross motor skills. Patients can work on hand-eye coordination, balance, and precision while engaging in a fun and interactive activity.

Range of Motion: Engaging in frisbee activities can encourage patients to move their arms, shoulders, and torso, promoting the development of a full range of motion. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries.

Strength Building: Playing frisbee requires the use of various muscle groups, including the arms, shoulders, and legs. The repetitive motion of throwing and catching can contribute to muscle strengthening, which is essential for rehabilitation.

Cardiovascular Exercise: Depending on the intensity of the activity, playing frisbee can provide cardiovascular benefits. It can help improve stamina and overall cardiovascular health, which is important for many rehabilitation patients.

Social Interaction: Frisbee games can be played in a group setting, fostering social interaction and teamwork. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may be recovering from conditions

This game is taught there for adolescent students for anger and stress management and also for de-addiction purpose.

The team then visited Tribal Health Resource Centre for orientation. Tribal Health Resource Centre is a unit in the organization in which focus is given mainly on research and community-based programmes.

The organization is a wing of Karuna Trust. Mr. yogendra, Public health research associate gave a detailed orientation about the organization and its projects.

The major projects at THRC include:

India Zoo Risk: Using One Health approaches to understand and co-develop interventions for zoonotic diseases affecting forest communities in India

“Tribal Vaccination Drive Program”, By Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra, Supported by Azim Premji Foundation.

Focused Awareness Programme for COVID-19 Vaccination among the Tribal People of Chamarajanagar District.

After the visit, the trainees were back to the hostel and made arrangements for group discussion and fire camp. Later, the faculty conducted GC to take feedback and assess student learning for day 1. Then a session on PRA and PLA techniques and social mapping was discussed by the faculty. The day ended by report writing, dinner followed by fire camp.

DAY 2: 18.12.2023

The day 2 of the camp started with meditation and exercise. Later, the students did shramdhan around the hostel and prepared for the day. The faculty divided the team into different teams to divide work among the trainees.

The trainees walked all way to ADAVI, an organization that produces and markets forest products by the tribes. The organization is run by a team of tribes themselves. Dr. C. Madegowda is a social scientist and tribal rights activist, a Soliga himself from BRT is the director of the organization. Dr. C. Madegowda, the first soliga to go for higher education oriented the students about adavi, tribal culture, traditions, and problems they face. He also spoke about forest rights act, his recent research and motivated the students to take up community development as their profession.

After the visit, the trainees started a treck to the hill atop, almost 12 KM from Adavi through the forest areas.

In the evening, the students played Frisbee with the hostel students. Th day ended by taking feedback and firecamp. Later, the faculty taught social mapping and community organization models for the students that had to be observed for the next day.

DAY 3: 19.12.2023

The day 3 of the camp started with meditation and exercise. Later, the students did shramdhan around the tribal school premises and prepared for the day. The faculty divided the team into different teams to visit different hamlets.

Interactions with tribal elders: Students engaged in open dialogues to learn about tribal history, customs, and rituals.

Community Outreach: The trainees gave awareness on alcoholism and addictions. The trainees carried posters made by them and explained the cons of alcoholism

Needs assessment: Students conducted surveys and interviews to identify the pressing issues within the community, such as healthcare, education, and livelihood.

After the survey, the trainees gathered near hosapodu hamlet and visited Hosapodu government school. The health department personnel had visited to conduct a programme on TB. The trainees participated in the programme.

Environmental Exploration:

Understanding the close relationship between tribal communities and the environment, trainees explored the local flora and fauna with tribal guide and trekked from the hamlets and reached tribal school

In the evening, the students conducted group work for the school students and later conducted games. Th day ended by taking feedback and fire camp. Later, the trainees started social mapping for the hamlets they visited on the day.

Day 4: 20.12.2023

The day 4 of the camp started with meditation and exercise. Later, the students did shramdhan around the lake and main road leading to BR temple and prepared for the day. The faculty divided the team into different teams to visit different hamlets.

Today’s visit was scheduled to survey Keredimbha podu, maarigudi podu, bangale podu, muthakada gaddhe podu and Yarakanagadde podu. Students, accompanied by faculty conducted surveys and interviews to identify the pressing issues within the community, such as healthcare, education, and livelihood.

Later, the trainees gathered near the lake and walked all way to ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment), an organization working for monitoring of forest produce and biodiversity conservation

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) is a globally recognised non-profit organisation focused on environmental conservation and sustainable, socially just development. ATREE engages in the generation and dissemination of rigorous interdisciplinary knowledge that informs and is informed by the needs of grassroots communities, policymakers and the wider public. It prioritises capacity-building for producing the next generation of scholars and leaders.

ATREE at BR Hills has engaged with the Soliga community for several years through the long-term monitoring of forest produce. It also works towards increasing the adoption of agroforestry and finding other win-win solutions for biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods to maintain ecosystem health.

The BRT Community Conservation Centre is a ‘local space’ through which vital initiatives to enrich livelihoods, protect community rights and assess important species are executed.

Key Areas of Work

Promoting Biodiversity-friendly Small-holder Coffee: Initiated coffee-based business for the Sri Biligiri Rangaswamy Kapi Belegarara Sangha (Soliga coffee farmers) with collaborations with Karnataka Coffee Board and Black Baza Coffee Company Ltd, Bangalore, benefiting 221 Soliga families. ATREE’s efforts encourage organic farming techniques to reduce the impact on biodiversity of the landscape.

Wild Bee Honey Cluster: The objective is to organise traditional industries and artisans into clusters for long term sustainability and to enable competitive and sustained employment. Training, safety equipment and a common facility centre built with scientific processing machinery help to develop and improve honey harvesting and processing. The processed honey is being sold under the brand ‘Adavi’.

Co-management and Sustainable use of Non-Timber Forest Products: ATREE implemented decentralised enterprise-based conservation models with respect to Non-timber forest products and agricultural products that led to additional income generation for the indigenous community. Also, community decentralised processing units were established in 2022

Enhancing landscape connectivity: ATREE aims to establish connectivity between fragmented habitats through wildlife corridors. The Western Ghats is under intense pressure from hydropower projects, mining, roads, railways and population growth. The existing protected areas network is embedded in a matrix of plantations, agricultural land and urban areas affecting movements and distributions of many species.

Nurseries for restoration: ATREE works in the region to set up local community-base nurseries and supports existing nurseries to enable restoration of agro ecosystems. The project is in collaboration with Centre for Social Markets (CSM).

The trainees visited honey processing unit and grass garden where different variety of grasses were grown for research purpose.

In the evening, the students conducted group work for the school students and later conducted games. The day ended by taking feedback and fire camp. Later, the trainees practiced skit for the next day cultural programme.

Day 5: 21.12.2023

The day 5 of the camp started with meditation and exercise. Later, the students did shramdhan around VGKK campus and main road leading to BR temple and prepared for the day. The visit for the day was scheduled for Institute of public health.

The students walked all way to IPH, which is located 3 km from BR temple. The Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru (IPH) is a premier institute for training and research in health systems in India. IPH’s research work has focused on identifying equity-oriented and health systems based research questions. Dr. Prashanth N Srinivas heads IPH’s health equity cluster. He has research interests in health policy and systems research, health equity, OneHealth, and mental health. He was till recently the Chairperson of Emerging Voices for Global Health, a thematic working group of Health Systems Global. The Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru Is a non-profit academic institution established with a vision of creating an equitable, integrated, decentralised and participatory health system within a just and empowered society.The Institute of Public Health has been recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) which is a part of the Ministry of Science and Technology as a Scientific and Research Organization (SIRO). IPH has also been empanelled by the Karnataka Evaluation Authority as a consultant organization and as a partners in the National Corporate Social (CSR) Responsibility Hub at TISS.

Vision

To create an equitable, integrated, decentralized, responsive and participatory health system within a just and empowered society

Mission

Strengthening health systems to ensure healthy communities through a team of committed and value-based professionals

The primary goal of research at IPH is to strengthen the Indian health system by generating evidence on what works, for whom and why. From governance and analysis of policies to working with rural or urban communities their research projects span the entire spectrum of the public health system. IPH research is at the cutting edge of global public health using innovative approaches such as health in all policies (HiAP) and methodologies such as Participatory Action Research and Theory Driven Inquiries. IPH currently have one active field sites in Karnataka, one in a rural Chamrajnagar district.

IPH Report on Tribal Health

Almost 9% of India’s population is made up of tribal communities. They have poor access to healthcare and poor population health outcomes like maternal and child mortality and morbidity, communicable disease prevalence and nutrition, and chronic diseases. Among the social determinants of tribal health, geographical remoteness, proximity to forest areas, cultural distance from the “mainstream” population, historical isolation and social stratification have all been postulated to have a significant effect on their health outcome. The health equity cluster works with forest dwelling tribal communities (also known as Adivasis, indigenous communities), on improving their access to healthcare services.

Health Equity Network India

The network brings together individuals and institutions interested in advancing health equity through research, advocacy and action. The network was an outcome of the “Closing the gap: Health equity research initiative in India” by the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum. The health equity cluster is the national secretariat for the network.

One health

Achieving equitable health involves action not only on various aspects of human health, but also acknowledging and ensuring cross-sectoral action and inclusive inter-disciplinary engagement across public health, animal health and environmental health professions and disciplines. In view of its work in forested areas, the health equity cluster focuses on health systems strengthening components in OneHealth initiatives. They are involved in the MonkeyFeverRisk project, a Indo-UK project that develops innovative inter-disciplinary frameworks to help communities avoid exposure to zoonotic diseases whilst maximising the livelihood benefits they derive from tropical forests. Their current focus is on the emerging tick-borne viral infection Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) that affects low-income communities in the Western Ghats forest in India.

Mental Health in Primary Health Care

It is impossible to conceive an idea of health without ensuring and realising the mental health of the population. Yet, this is among the most neglected of health problems in terms of access to care for mental health conditions globally. The health equity cluster focuses on research and action for strengthening mental health in primary health care.

It is in relation to mental health and suicide that the work of IPH and SASHI mainly coincide. Understanding the incidence and prevalence of self harm in the Adivasis community and understanding the pathway to receiving care for these issues is a key factor. It is likely to be very different from the urban pathways which are being examined by the SASHI project in Mysuru.

After the visit, the trainees visited the school and conducted cultural events for the students

Day 6: 22.12.2023

The day 6 of the camp started with meditation and exercise. Later, the students walked to hosapodu hamlet and did shramdhan. The visit for the day was scheduled for VGKK hospital.

Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) is committed to the holistic, sustainable development of tribal people, keeping in mind their socio-cultural background and their rights. VGKK is now 35 years old with development experiences from the Soligas and other tribes in Chamarajanagar, Mysore districts of Karnataka and subsequent experiences with tribes in Arunachal Pradesh and other states. This experience has resulted in an integrated approach to tribal development with health, education, livelihoods and biodiversity conservations the means to sustainable development and empowerment.

Health

1. A 20-bedded tribal hospital with laboratory, x-ray and operation theatre providing free medical care and telemedicine.
2. Community-based preventive, promotive and rehabilitative programmes through local health workers.
3. Mobile Medical Unit that visits the tribal hamlets
4. Sickle cell anemia research and screening work
5. Training programmes for dais, health workers and house surgeons.
6. Maternal & child health, communicable dieases, non-communicable dieases, mental health, dental health, and community-based rehabilitation programme.
7. Nutrition, safe drinking water and sanitation.
8. Traditional medicines & revitalization of local health traditions.

The hospital better known as Vivekananda Girijana Arogya Kendra is a functioning primary care facility with 20-bed in-patient care and a 1-bed emergency care facility. A pharmacy, a laboratory, labour room are available. The overall mission and approach has always been in favour of community health and primary health care approaches, so the clinical team works in close coordination with ANMs, ASHAs and our own community health staff in providing curative services as part of a larger community health program which includes preventive care, health promotion and rehabilitative care. Staff nurses, laboratory technician and community health workers. MBBS Interns from Chamarajangar Institute of Medical Sciences are posted and work here. Most of the patients are from the Soliga and few other Adivasi communities in the district. Soliga people mainly, in smaller numbers Jenu Kuruba and Betta Kuruba.

The students interacted with the medical personnel in the hospital and visited tobacco care centre in the premises.

Later, the students had the opportunity in Volunteering medical camp where the students accompanied them in their ambulance and visited hadis for the camp. Later afternoon, the students conducted a second transect walk in the community.

In the evening, a cultural team Kusuma Kala Kendra, a team of tribes who have performed in Mysuru dasara gave a cultural programme for the trainees. The students also participated in an enthusiastic manner. The day ended with firecamp and feedback.

Day 7: 23.12.2023

Day 7 was the final day of camp. The activity scheduled was shramdhan and visiting Swamy Nirmalananda Ashram BR hills.

Swami Nirmalananda, the none-too- noticed Sage of B.R. Hills, after quite some restlessness in his worldly life when young, sought and achieved eternal blessedness, wisdom and peace in the teachings of the most spiritual personalities of many different cultures around the world, his spiritual quest taking him all around the globe. Spiritual freedom, simplicity, sincerity, clarity of thought and mind, prayers and penance formed the guiding lights of his inner and outer self. In perfect freedom and beatification, he walked alone, protected and spiritually nourished by the Almighty.

Following an inner call, Swamiji, at the impressionable age of fourteen, made a deep study of the world’s major religions. He was greatly influenced by the lives and teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Thoreau, Tolstoy, Schweitzer and many others. Like Sankaracharya, Jesus and Buddha, he became a wandering monk, a ‘Parivrajaka.’ No place on earth was, to him, inaccessible, more especially when he was imbued with zeal and passion of spiritual conquest and outer renunciation. On his way to Europe, he visited all of West Asia, particularly Israel. In Jerusalem he met and discoursed with the Existentialist, Martin Buber. Buber reminded him of Jesus, both in looks and charisma.

Turkey, Russia, England, Europe, America, Canada, Japan, and South East Asia were the places where he searched for and found his own true unsullied reflection as God in the people and things around him. He travelled far and wide, but all his wanderings, like those of saints and prophets of the world’s major religions, were the wanderings of a spiritually enlightened soul, searching for and discovering his own otherwise lost soul in the love and peace of Godliness.

Swamiji feels that his long, continuous and arduous life as a ‘Parivrajaka’ and his personal contacts with great philosophers and many people in different parts of the world have been the most exciting and unforgettable experiences that he ever had in his life.

Ever since he returned to India in 1964, Swamiji has been living unnoticed in silence and seclusion in his quiet and solitary Ashram in the beautiful forests of B.R. Hills in Karnataka, doing Sadhana. He is leading an intense spiritual life of immense value, guiding the aspirants who come to him or write to him for counsel and yet never going beyond the Iimits of the Ashram compound. He observed ‘Mauna’ for 11 years and even now is practically silent all the time except when he interacts with the tribals to whom he talks with a tender affection.

In his Ashram, the atmosphere is completely calm and peaceful. Except the songs of the birds, no other sound is heard. There is a pin-drop silence, and Swamiji is a part of this silence.

The trainees cleaned the whole campus of the ashram, medidated as per the guidance of the vishwananda swamiji, conducted Pooja and were offered breakfast by the Ashram. Later, the students visited the view point where eastern and western ghats overlap and did guided meditation.

The students later came back and reported the whole one-week camp. The day ended by visiting Sr. APJ Kalam science park.

Day 8: 24.12.2023

Day 8 started with Transect walk early morning and the trainees thanked the villagers for hosting them for the past 8 days. Later, the trainees did shramdhan and cleaned the VGKK hostel where they stayed for the past 8 days.

The trainees and faculty left the camp site by 4 pm.

Challenges:

Language Barrier: Limited proficiency in the local dialect posed challenges in effective communication. Even though kannada was the primary language, the locals mixed soliga language which was difficult to communicate.

Logistical Issues: The remote location presented logistical challenges, requiring careful planning and adaptability. The trainees had to carry many types of equipment to the camp. Also network issues posed another challenge

Cultural Sensitivity: Engaging in conversations with tribal people on social issues requires a high level of cultural sensitivity and respect for their unique perspectives, traditions, and values. Cultural sensitivity is of paramount importance when engaging in discussions with tribal communities on social issues. Recognizing and respecting their unique cultural identity, traditions, and historical experiences is essential for establishing meaningful and effective communication. Talking about issues of any nature required a lot of consideration.

Outcomes:

Cultural Competence: Trainees developed a profound understanding of tribal culture, fostering cultural sensitivity and breaking down stereotypes.

Skill Enhancement: Practical application of social work skills in a real-world setting enhanced students’ problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

Resource mobilization and utilization: this is an important every social worker has to develop. This camp was the best arena for the trainees to develop the said qualities

Orientation about community organization: community organization practice is a basic method of social work for which camp was the best orientation.

Interpersonal communication, relationships and adjustments: the trainees lived together with their peers for 8 days and worked together which enhanced their relationship and communication among themselves

Conclusion:

The tribal camp was an enriching experience that provided social work students with a holistic view of community development, cultural diversity, and the intricacies of working in challenging environments. The lessons learned and the relationships formed during this camp will undoubtedly contribute to the students’ growth as compassionate and effective social workers.