Malnutrition Deaths of Tribal Children in Palghar

Over the past one year, nearly 600 tribal kids have died due to malnutrition in Palghar district of Maharashtra. Palghar has recorded 82 malnutrition deaths in the month August alone.

In this area, most tribals don’t have ownership rights over any land. In some cases, the land allotted to tribals as per the Forest Rights Act is not uncultivable.

As they do not have land to cultivate for consumption and income, they are usually dependent on forest produce such as roots and seeds of fruits. So these communities are more prone to starvation and malnutrition.

Majority of tribals from the twin taluks of Mokhada and Jawhar are worst affected by malnutrition.

The Maharashtra Government, in September again, announced to restart Village Child Development Centres (VCDCs) in the wake of rising incidents of child deaths.

The VCDCs will provide nutritious meals six times a day to Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) and Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) children in Anganwadi Centres.

Land RightsMaharashtraMalnutrition DeathsPalgharStarvationTribal Children