Katkari Tribal Village Development: The Katkari are a Primitive tribal group of indigenous hunter gatherers who live in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Their ongoing survival is threatened by years of systemic exploitation, racial prejudice, abject poverty and loss of their traditional lands. In Pune district Katkari is the only PTG’S identified mostly in the region of Sahyadri. This group is located in 9 different blocks (Taluka). According to the census of 2001 Total Katkari primitive tribe’s population is around 14091 in Pune District. There are two sub groups of the community namely Dhor-Katkari and the Son –Katkari. This tribe is one of the most primitive tribes in Maharashtra. Most of the Katkari are the labors. Besides earning through daily wage labor they are known for hunting, fishing, collecting roots etc. Mulshi Tehsil has 48 Colonies each having 15-30 families. Every colony has population of around 150-350 male who are mainly engaged in labor & farm work. 75% ladies are also engaged in similar activities. Young children of age group 2.5 to 6 just roam and there is nobody to look after them. Students in age group 6-10 go to school but they are very irregular. The education stops at the age of 10-12. Life style of this community is primitive, undisciplined and has no culture. They do not follow basic cleanliness like bath, washing cloths etc. They get settled wherever they find a place. These communities are extremely poor and live in very worse and unhygienic conditions. The percentage of consuming alcohol is very high in these communities.
A survey was done in the beginning in some villages to understand the social-economically condition and situation of the tribal people. The findings of the survey also helped us to know about the various problems that they face due to their backwardness.
