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The article highlights the challenges faced by the Chenchu tribe in Panukumadugu, particularly after the suspension of the MGNREGS special project in 2022.
The shift to a standardized national framework for MGNREGS has led to reduced employment opportunities and income for the Chenchus, making it harder for them to survive.
The tribe's reliance on a limited diet and the inability to afford fruits and vegetables illustrates their deep poverty.
Chenchu Tribe of Panukumadugu
The Chenchu tribe resides in Panukumadugu, a hamlet in Dornala mandal of Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh.
They are one of the oldest aboriginal tribes in the region, characterized by a subsistence economy and a strong reliance on forest resources.
Most families live in simple thatched huts, with limited access to basic amenities and services.
They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
The Chenchus speak the Chenchu language, a member of the Dravidian language family
Many Chenchus live in the sparse and deciduous Nallamala forest of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
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