Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Launched for Onge Tribe Empowerment

Port Blair, Jul 2 (PTI) – In a significant move to boost self-sustainability among the Onge tribe, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has launched a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) at Dugong Creek. This initiative, under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), focuses on empowering the Onge community through coconut-based products. Located in Little Andaman, Dugong Creek is a reserved area approximately 93 km from Port Blair and is home to 140 individuals, comprising 74 males and 66 females.

Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar spoke to PTI on Wednesday, highlighting how the VDVK initiative is building upon the Onge community’s traditional practices. The Onge tribe, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, has long been crafting coconut-based products. "We are adding value to their traditional products, including virgin coconut oil, which recently received GI tagging. Through VDVK, we are assisting them in market creation," Kumar explained.

Kumar emphasized the administration's focus on preserving the authenticity of the tribe's products. "We are committed to maintaining the purity and integrity of their products within their habitat. While it's a learning journey for us, the Onge tribe has warmly embraced our efforts to aid their welfare. A short documentary on this initiative is also underway," he added. The VDVK is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

A senior official from the tribal welfare department stated, "The VDVK has the potential to transform livelihoods by promoting sustainable enterprise and economic empowerment for the Onge community." Initially, 56 members of the Onge tribe are participating in the VDVK, focusing on creating value-added coconut-based products, such as high-quality copra and cold-pressed coconut oil.

To enhance the community’s capabilities, extensive training has been provided to VDVK members in copra processing, coconut oil extraction, and using specialized machinery. "They have been equipped with essential tools, such as coconut peelers, steel containers, manual de-husking tools, and knives. Additionally, a state-of-the-art cold-press coconut oil extraction and filter machine has been installed at Dugong Creek for premium-quality production," explained a senior administrative official.

The Directorate of Tribal Welfare, serving as the nodal agency, collaborates with the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) as the State Implementation Agency and the Directorate of Rural Development as the training partner, providing comprehensive support for this transformative initiative.

In another remarkable achievement, nine Onge community students have successfully cleared this year's CBSE class 10 examination for the first time, marking a historic accomplishment. This success underscores the unwavering commitment and dedication of the Onge students and the UT Administration towards the welfare, safety, and well-being of the tribes in these islands.

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