UPSC Prelims 2014 Q26: Environment & Ecology – Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry
Every year, a month - long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which
certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit - bearing trees.
Which of the following are such communities/tribes?
- (a) Bhutia and Lepcha
- (b) Gond and Korku
- (c) Irula and Toda
- (d) Sahariya and Agariya
Answer: (b) Gond and Korku
Explanation
Tribal festival of planting fruit-bearing trees
The Gond and Korku tribes of Madhya Pradesh celebrate Hari Jiroti.
It is a month-long festival in the monsoon, when they plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees.
| Tribe pair | Region | This festival? |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Bhutia and Lepcha | Sikkim | No |
| (b) Gond and Korku | Madhya Pradesh (Betul, Harda) | Yes |
| (c) Irula and Toda | Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu | No |
| (d) Sahariya and Agariya | Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh | No |
About the two tribes:
| Tribe | Note |
|---|---|
| Gond | One of India's largest tribal groups, spread over central India |
| Korku | Live in the Satpura hills |
Answer: (b) Gond and Korku.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Bhutia and Lepcha of Sikkim do not hold this festival.
- (b) CORRECT. The Gond and Korku tribes plant fruit-bearing saplings during Hari Jiroti.
- (c) Incorrect. Irula and Toda live in the Nilgiris and have other customs.
- (d) Incorrect. Sahariya and Agariya are not known for this campaign.
Key point
Hari Jiroti: month-long monsoon festival of the Gond and Korku tribes (Madhya Pradesh), who plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees.
Remember
Hari Jiroti = Gond and Korku.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Sahariya and Agariya, the other central Indian pair.
- Not knowing where the Korku live: the Satpura hills.
- Confusing this with the Van Mahotsav tree-planting week.
Exam tip
Hari = green. A green festival of the central Indian forest tribes.
Sources
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs — Tribal festivals of Madhya Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh Tribal Research and Development Institute — Gond and Korku communities