GAUHATI, India —  Tribal leaders in northeastern India are trying to create an incentive to have a big family.

In the past two months, leaders have paid the equivalent of $348 to four women who have more than a dozen children. One of the women to have been paid has 17.

The move was made because tribal elders became concerned that they would become outnumbered by settlers from elsewhere.

But the decision has infuriated many women and health activists, who argue that no one should keep having children unless they can provide for them as well.