In a transformative step toward improving the lives of India’s most vulnerable tribal communities, the Prime Minister Janman Rural Housing Scheme has begun providing permanent homes to the Birhor community. Recognized as one of India’s most endangered and vulnerable tribal groups, the Birhor have traditionally lived in temporary huts amidst forests and hills, relying on shifting livelihoods. This initiative is set to change their way of life, offering security, dignity, and hope.
Under the scheme, over 700 houses have been sanctioned in Dongnala, Korba, for homeless Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), with around 350 already completed. These homes are weatherproof, durable, and equipped with solar energy systems under the Prime Minister Surya Ghar Yojana, ensuring sustainable living conditions and reducing dependence on forest resources.
Beneficiaries like Dharm Singh, Jamuna Bai, and Kanri Bai expressed their gratitude, emphasizing how their lives have shifted from precarious forest dwellings to stable homes. The new houses not only provide physical shelter but also strengthen community stability, allowing families to settle in one place and access government schemes and benefits more easily.
The PM-JANMAN initiative goes beyond housing. Launched on November 15, 2023, it is a holistic development program covering 75 PVTG communities across 18 states and one Union Territory. In its first three months, the program sanctioned projects worth over Rs. 7,000 crore, including the distribution of Aadhaar cards, Ayushman Bharat cards, and Jan Dhan accounts to ensure financial and social inclusion.
The integration of solar energy in the new homes aligns with India’s sustainability goals. Each household receives a 0.3 kW solar system, supporting electricity access in remote tribal areas and contributing to cleaner energy adoption.
The scheme has already set benchmarks in other regions. In Gumla district, Jharkhand, over 1,600 homes have been sanctioned, and villages now enjoy 100% solar-powered water supply. In Baran district, Rajasthan, the Sahariya tribal community received electricity for the first time in 78 years, alongside permanent housing under PM-JANMAN.
Officials and community members have thanked the government for improving living conditions and access to benefits, highlighting how the initiative reflects India’s commitment to inclusive development and tribal welfare. With programs like PM-JANMAN, the lives of PVTGs, especially endangered groups like the Birhor, are being transformed, offering them a dignified and sustainable future.