Mangaluru: The population of the Koraga community, an indigenous group on the coast identified as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in Karnataka, is declining.A basic survey conducted under the direction of the Union ministry of tribal affairs identified 1,118 Koraga families with a population of 4,290 in Dakshina Kannada district. As per the 2011 census, the community’s population in the district stood at 4,858.Koraga community leaders have demanded a comprehensive study to ascertain the reasons for the decline.Dakshina Kannada District Koraga Association president Sundara Koraga told TOI that the community’s birth rate is lower than its death rate. “We are demanding the govt not to conduct a namesake study. Experts need to be appointed to conduct a comprehensive study, as the community is on the verge of extinction. Further, the govt needs to take appropriate measures to address the real concern after conducting the study,” he said.He added that the Koraga community in the region lives on an average of just three cents of land. “We have been demanding the govt to implement the Dr Mohammed Peer Report of 1994, which recommends the govt allocate at least 2.5 acres to every Koraga family in Karnataka to improve their socio-economic status. However, the govt has been dilly-dallying on implementing this recommendation of the report,” said Sundara.District Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) officer Basavaraju HC said communications have already been made seeking a comprehensive study. “A scientific study needs to be conducted by the govt. The actual reason for the decline in the population can be ascertained only through a scientific study. While the population of most of the communities keep increasing, it is decreasing when it comes to the Koraga community,” he added.
