Q.20 Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion. (UPSC CSE 2025, GS PAPER-1) (Answer in 250 words,15 marks)

Introduction:

Tribal development in India has historically been a complex and often contradictory process. While the stated goal is to integrate these communities into the national mainstream and improve their socio-economic status, the implementation of large-scale development projects has frequently resulted in their displacement and subsequent, often inadequate, rehabilitation.

Body:

The Axis of Displacement: Tribal displacement in India is a longstanding issue that has intensified in recent years due to large-scale development and conservation projects. While such initiatives aim to promote national growth and environmental protection, they often overlook the rights and livelihoods of indigenous communities, leading to significant socio-economic and cultural repercussions.

1. Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects: India’s pursuit of rapid industrialization has led to the establishment of numerous dams, power plants, and mining operations in resource-rich tribal areas.

For instance, the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River or the Hirakud Dam in Odisha have displaced lakhs of tribal people; the construction of the Polavaram Dam in Andhra Pradesh has displaced nearly 90% of the Koya and Konda Reddi tribes, who are particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). Only 38 out of 123 submerged habitations had been rehabilitated, highlighting the inadequacies in the resettlement process.

India’s mineral-rich states, which are also home to a large tribal population (e.g., Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha), have witnessed extensive displacement due to coal, iron ore, and bauxite mining. The protest by the Dongria Kondh tribe against bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha is a classic case.

2. Conservation and Forest Policies: The expansion of protected areas under initiatives like Project Tiger has led to the displacement of tribal communities without their Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

A report by the Rights and Risks Analysis Group estimates that over 5.5 lakh tribals and forest dwellers have been displaced due to the establishment of tiger reserves since 2021. Notably, in Rajasthan’s Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately 1.6 lakh individuals are affected, with similar displacements occurring in Madhya Pradesh’s Durgavati and Uttar Pradesh’s Ranipur reserves.

3. Internal Conflicts and Insurgency: In regions affected by left-wing extremism, tribal populations often find themselves caught in the crossfire between security forces and insurgents. Counter-insurgency operations have led to forced relocations, disrupting traditional lifestyles and exacerbating vulnerabilities. For example, Adivasis displaced from Chhattisgarh have faced challenges in securing adequate rehabilitation, with some seeking in-situ rehabilitation under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

4. Legal Framework and Implementation Challenges: While the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act aim to protect tribal land rights, their implementation remains inconsistent. Reports indicate that many tribal communities continue to face illegal evictions and inadequate recognition of their rights, especially in mining and industrial zones.

The Axis of Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is meant to be the counterbalance to displacement, a process to restore the livelihoods and living standards of those uprooted. However, this axis is often riddled with challenges and inadequacies.

Beyond the Two Axes of Displacement and Rehabilitation: While the twin axes of displacement and rehabilitation dominate the discourse on tribal development, they offer a limited and often reactive lens. A more holistic, inclusive, and rights-based approach to tribal development must factor in legal safeguards, socio-economic inclusion, cultural preservation, political empowerment, and climate resilience.

1. Constitutional and Legal Safeguards: Fifth Schedule & Sixth Schedule provide autonomy in governance for Scheduled Areas and North-Eastern tribal regions respectively.

• • Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: Recognizes individual and community rights over forest lands.
  • PESA Act, 1996: Empowers Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas to manage natural resources and development projects but remains weakly enforced in many states. For Instance: Gram Sabhas in tribal regions like Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) are increasingly asserting rights under PESA to regulate land use and forest produce collection.

2. Development Without Displacement: Contrary to the displacement-heavy model, emerging schemes promote in-situ and inclusive development:

• • Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): Consolidates all tribal welfare allocations under a dedicated budget strategy.
  • Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood development.
  • Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN): for improving road connectivity, constructing Anganwadis and multipurpose centers, and building school hostels.
  • Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM),focusing on tribal skill development, heritage promotion, and economic empowerment.
  • Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Over 700 schools functional, improving access to quality education for tribal children.
  • Van Dhan Vikas Kendras: Under TRIFED, these empower tribal SHGs to value-add, brand, and market NTFPs, boosting rural incomes. For Instance: In Bastar, Chhattisgarh, tribal women SHGs under Van Dhan Kendras now earn 2x more from tamarind and mahua processing than before.

3. Self-Determination and Tribal Agency: There is a visible shift from viewing tribals as passive beneficiaries to recognizing them as active agents of development:

• • Development with Dignity: Movements across Odisha, Jharkhand, and North-East are demanding community-led models that respect cultural identity and ecological knowledge.
  • Community Forest Rights (CFR): When effectively implemented (e.g., in Odisha’s Similipal region), CFRs have enhanced both conservation outcomes and livelihood security.

4. Climate Resilience and Participatory Planning: Convergence of MGNREGA with water conservation in tribal areas—offers long-term sustainability.

Conclusion:

Displacement and rehabilitation are key to tribal development, but a holistic approach including socio-economic empowerment, cultural preservation, political inclusion, and ecological sustainability is essential. Grounded in participatory governance and rights-based frameworks, this ensures dignity, wellbeing, and sustainable progress for India’s tribal communities.