Transitions in Socio-Economic Dimensions of Adivasi Landscape

Abstract

There are 705 communities officially classified as Scheduled Tribe but popularly known as Adivasis. The total population of Adivasis is 104.55 crores constituting 8.6 per cent of India's population (as per the 2011 census). They are known by various names such as ST, Adivasi, Janjati, Indigenous Communities, Aborigines, Girijans etc. They live at the bottom of the pyramid in terms of socio-economic developmental indicators. The paper explores the identity and ethnoregional politics of the Adivasi community, their alienation from the forest, land and the consequences of developmentinduced displacement, their involvement in forest protection through Joint Forest Management, and the implementation of the Forest Rights Act for their upliftment. It further explores their socio-economic status, the reasons for it being poor even after so many years of independence and the role played by governmental and non-governmental organizations in improving their economic status and livelihood. It has been argued that rather than focusing on ethno-regional politics, it will be more advantageous for the Adivasi community to focus on land and forest rights and make sure that resettlement and rehabilitation of the tribal communities are accorded priority over developmental projects. The agricultural universities should focus on understanding the Adivasis' agricultural production systems and should strengthen interlinkages with the forest and water resources in the Adivasi areas. The supply chain for both agricultural products such as millets and minor forest produce needs to be strengthened. The Adivasi areas are rich in organic matter and the focus on the Adivasi agriculture and production system may increase the production of millet crop and organic crop, leading to a third green revolution in India. The experiences of several NGO's working with the Adivasi community have found that the Adivasis are adoptive, innovative and have strong learning aptitude. With supportive public policy and institutional mechanisms, it is possible to integrate and assimilate Adivasis' with the mainstream of the society.