Sri Vijaya Puram, July 1: The Onge, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) is indigenous to the Little Andaman Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Traditionally semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers, they rely on fishing, hunting, and gathering forest produce, especially honey and wild fruits. They speak their own language called Onge. Their social structure is simple, and they live in close-knit groups with strong communal ties.
The Onge community, part of the Negrito race and originally dispersed across Little Andaman Island in various bands, were later settled in two primary locations: Dugong Creek and South Bay. After the devastating 2004 tsunami, the Onge population of South Bay voluntarily relocated to Dugong Creek, Little Andaman consolidating their community.
Today, Dugong Creek, Little Andaman is home to 140 Onge individuals, with 74 males and 66 females.
Historically isolated, the Onge have gradually begun to access education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities through Government support, particularly via the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS). Despite challenges, initiatives like community farming, education, and the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra have begun to bring positive changes. Preserving their language, health, and cultural identity remains a priority under tribal welfare schemes.
In a recent landmark achievement under the visionary Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) has been established for the Onge Tribe at Dugong Creek. Registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, this Onge VDVK is poised to revolutionize livelihoods through sustainable enterprise and economic empowerment.
The Onge VDVK, operational from 29th June, 2025 is driven by seven Self-Help Groups (SHGs) comprising 56 Onge members. It focuses on producing value-added coconut-based products, including high-quality copra and cold-pressed coconut oil. The Directorate of Tribal Welfare serves as the Nodal Agency, with AAJVS as the State Implementation Agency and Directorate of Rural Development as the training partner, ensuring comprehensive support for this transformative initiative.
To empower the community, Onge VDVK members have received extensive training in copra processing, coconut oil extraction, and the use of specialized machinery. Essential toolkits, including coconut peelers, steel containers, manual de-husking tools, and knives, have been provided. A state-of-the-art cold press coconut oil extraction and filter machine has also been installed at Dugong Creek, enabling premium-quality production.
Recently in another historic achievement, nine students from the Onge community, a PVTG, successfully passed the CBSE Class 10 examination in 2025 for the first time in the history of Onge community. This milestone reflects the unwavering commitment and dedication of the Onge students and the UT Administration for the welfare, safety, and well-being of the tribes of these islands.
The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration applauded the exemplary efforts of the Onge PVTG and the dedicated field functionaries of the AAJVS for their outstanding contributions to these remarkable initiatives.
These initiatives mark a significant step towards PVTG empowerment, fostering skill development, sustainable livelihoods, and economic independence for the Onge PVTG. The cold-pressed coconut oil produced by the Onge PVTG will be available in the market soon, showcasing their innovation and self-reliance.