Welfarism and Tribal Development - A Case Study of Sugali Tribe in A.P

India is the largest tribal population in the world, numbering about 68.34 millions a constituting 8.45 percent of the total population of the country (2011 Census). There are about 427 tribes, sub-divided into different groups (Roy Burman, 1971). They speak over 105 languages and 225 subsidiary languages. They are scattered along the length and breadth of India from the Himalayas to the Indian ocean and from the Arabian Sea to the Eastern Frontiers (Government of India, 1981:1). The tribal's constitute the oldest ethnic group of India's national population, and are often referred to as 'Adivasis' or original inhabitants of the country. The origin of these tribes can be traced to such races as the Proto-Australoids, who one time believed to have practically covered the whole of India. They were compelled to shift to their present habitant, as they were unable to defend themselves against the invading people like the Aryans and Mangolians who came with mechanical equipment to safeguard their interests. Thus, the original people had to take shelter in mountain ranges and thick forests, where a considerable number of them are still found (Prasad, 1988:33).