About Department
Established in the year 1989, the Department of Anthropology and Tribal Development is one of the oldest departments of the University. The establishment of the department bears a great significance in view of the fact that the State harbors a substantial number of tribal populations with diverse cultures and Anthropology as the science of the people has a strong commitment for the welfare and all round development of the weaker sections of the society of the State as well as of the country. The department aims to generate qualified, skilful and committed anthropologists to play a catalytic role as social advisers to policy makers in matters relating to various issues on tribal development. The department also emphsasises to study and suggests remedial measures with respect to eradication of hunger and malnutrition, mortality and morbidity incidences among tribal and non-tribal population of Chhattisgarh. The department since its inception has been imparting M.A./M.Sc. course in Anthropology with specialization in Social Anthropology, Biological Anthropology and Human Genetics. The Department was also providing M.Phil (discontinued since 2009) course in Anthropology. It started offering admission to students both an Integrated Master's Programme (10 Semesters) (with exit option for B.A./B.Sc. students at the end of 3 years (Six Semesters) + M.A./M.Sc. 2 years) with effect from 2009-10 as well as two-years Master's Programme in Anthropology for entry of students directly. The department has introduced the course work for doctoral programme. The department has maintained a departmental library consisting of more than 700 books and upgraded the department laboratory infrastructure such as anthropometric, Osteometric, Serological, Dermatoglyphic and human osteological materials. The department is having an ethnographic museum containing material cultures of distinct tribes, collection of tool types belonging to prehistoric cultures and various types of rock specimens. The department has been undertaking students field studies among tribal groups of Chhattisgarh and Central India on several aspects of tribal life, culture and development such as: Material Culture, Social 2 Institution, Tribal development, Tribal Health and Nutrition, assess the impact of progressive Acts like PESA, MGNREGA, RTI, RTE, FRA etc. Department has also completed a number of research projects like Rehabitation and Displacment, Nutritional status of the Korbas, Tribal Indebtedness, Tribal Monographs and village studies. The Department is in close collaboration with the local NGOs, for productive research and development. Department has also organized a Refresher course in Anthropology and Sociology, memorial lectures, workshops and seminars. The department has published number of research articles, papers and books covering different areas of tribal communities of India.