Tribal population constitutes six percent of the total population, of which 33 are scheduled tribes with 12 primitive groups.

The National Forest Policy 1988, made specific provisions for the tribal community.

Having regard to the symbiotic relationship between tribal people and forests, a primary task of all agencies responsible for forest management including the forest development corporations, is to associate the tribal people closely in the protection, regeneration and development of forest as well as to provide gainful employment to people living around forest.

Encroachment poses a significant threat to forest in tribal areas. This is largely on account of innocent tribals being deprived of their land by non tribals.