Even though the government had initiated special packages to stop infant deaths, at least 21 deaths of newborns have been reported from Attapadi, Palakkad district in the last 10 months.

"Most state government initiatives are in a limbo, be it the community kitchen project or sanitation programme or improving the rundown anganwadis. Same is the case of primary health care centre and the tribal hospital," Rajendra Prasad, president of Tampu, an NGO that keeps track of infant deaths here, told The Timesof India.

"As the government did not pay the provision dealers for last few months, all the food stocked in community kitchens has been exhausted. The state should start mobile ration shops to remote areas," said K A Ramu, another tribal activist with Tampu.

The traditional habitat of tribes is also affected by land acquisition and their livelihood is being lost.

TOI further reports that the percentage of tribal population, vis-à-vis the total population, has decreased from 91% to 41% during the last 50 years.