View source - Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra

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Tribal people constitute 8.2% of the population of India. Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) is committed to the holistic , sustainable development of tribal people ,keeping in mind their socio-cultural background and their rights. Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) which was founded in October 1981 by [[Wikipedia:Hanumappa Sudarshan|Dr. H. Sudarshan]], now has nearly three decades of developmental  experiences with the [[Wikipedia:Soliga|soligas]] and other tribes in [[Wikipedia:Chamarajanagar|Chamarajanagar]] and [[Wikipedia:Mysore|Mysore]] districts of [[Wikipedia:Karnataka|Karnataka]] and subsequent experiences with tribals in [[Wikipedia:Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu]] , [[Wikipedia:Arunachal Pradesh|Arunachal Pradesh]] and Andaman & Nicobar islands. This experince has resulted in an integrated approach to tribal development with Health , Education , Livelihoods and Biodiversity conservation as the means to sustainable development and empowerment. 
	
The association of the Soliga tribe with the Doddasampige tree (''Michelia champaka'') is eternalised in their myth and they continue to revere it till date. VGKK believes in empowering tribal societies and achieving sustainable development through health, education, livelihood security and biodiversity conservation keeping their core culture intact.

The VGKK was founded by Dr. H Sudarshan in 1981.

'''''Vision'''''

A self-reliant and empowered tribal society rooted in its culture and tradition , living in harmony with nature.

'''''Mission'''''

Sustainable development of tribal people through rights-based approaches to health, education, livelihood security and biodiversity conservation.

'''''Objectives'''''
* To implement a comprehensive, holistic, need-based, gender & culture-sensitive, community -centered, system of health care integrating indigenous health traditions.
* To establish an education system that is specific to the tribal language ,culture and environment.
* To promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable harvesting of Non-Timber Forest produce.
* To ensure livelihood security through sustainable agriculture , vocational training and value addition of forest produce.
* To empower tribal communities through sanghas (People's organisations) and Women's self-Help Groups.