International Journal of Development in Social Sciences and Humanities

The research aims to elucidate the demographic conditions and growth trends of the Jenu Kuruba tribal community in Karnataka, along with their socio-cultural traits, way of life, and the geographical areas they occupy within the state. According to the 2011 Census, the total Scheduled Tribe population in Karnataka was approximately 4,248,987, of which the Kuruba tribal population accounted for 36,076 individuals. Consequently, the Kuruba tribe constitutes only about 0.85% of the overall Scheduled Tribe population in the state. As indigenous forest inhabitants, they strive to maintain their culture, identity, and ancestral ties to the forests of Southern India. This group is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Karnataka, recognized for their traditional practice of honey gathering in the forested regions of Kodagu, Mysore, and Chamarajanagar, and they have a profound connection to the Western Ghats. The research paper primarily focuses on two key objectives: first, to investigate the origins and socio-cultural status of the Jenu Kuruba tribal population in Karnataka, and second, to analyze the spatial distribution and demographic patterns of the Jenu Kuruba tribal community throughout the state. This finding indicates a sustained long-term population expansion of the community, notwithstanding historical displacement and its nomadic past. Furthermore, with an R² value exceeding 0.70, the model demonstrates a strong explanatory, and the projected population for 2021 (46,024) can therefore be regarded as a high-confidence estimate suitable for informing government welfare planning and infrastructure development.