3.2.3. National Development versus Tribal Development

The imperatives of ‘development’ have governed attitudes towards tribes and shaped the policies of the state. National development, particularly in the Nehruvian era, involved the building of large dams, factories and mines. Because the tribal areas were located in mineral rich and forest covered parts of the country, tribals have paid a disproportionate price for the development of the rest of Indian society.

During the era of national development, especially under Prime Minister Nehru's policies, the government focused on industrial growth, which included constructing dams, factories, and extracting minerals. However, many of these projects were located in tribal regions, which are often rich in natural resources. Unfortunately, this meant that the local tribes often lost their lands and livelihoods as their lands were taken for these development projects. This illustrates a conflict between the needs of the nation and the rights of the tribal populations.

Imagine a beautiful park where families go to play, but one day, the government decides to build a shopping mall in the park to generate money. The families might get some compensation, but they lose their beloved space forever. Just like those families, tribal communities lost their ancestral lands to big development projects with little consideration for their needs.

The process of dispossessing tribals of their land has occurred as a necessary byproduct of the exploitation of minerals and the utilisation of favourable sites for setting up hydroelectric power plants, many of which were in tribal areas.

Dispossession refers to the act of taking someone's land and property without their consent. Development projects often exploited the rich mineral resources found in tribal lands, leading to the forced removal of tribal people from their homes. Hydroelectric power plants, which provide electricity to cities, were often built in areas where tribal communities lived. This created a situation where the tribes lost their homes and access to essential resources like forests, which played a critical role in their lifestyle and culture.

Think of a village that relies on a river for fishing and farming. If the government decides to build a dam upstream for energy, the water flow changes, and the villagers can no longer fish or farm successfully. They’re forced to leave their homes and traditions behind, similar to how tribes were displaced for development projects.

The loss of the forests on which most tribal communities depended has been a major blow. Forests started to be systematically exploited in British times and the trend continued after independence.

Forests are vital to tribal communities; they provide food, shelter, and materials for their livelihoods. The systematic exploitation of these forests began during British colonization and persisted after India gained independence. This exploitation meant that not only did tribes lose their land, but their fundamental way of living was threatened. Many tribal cultures are intrinsically linked to the natural environment, and losing these forests disrupted their traditions and lifestyle.

Consider an indigenous group that lives in harmony with a forest. They rely on the trees for food, build their homes from wood, and find medicinal plants in the underbrush. If logging companies come in and clear-cut the forest, this group not only loses its home but also its identity tied to that land. This reflects the severe impact on tribal communities who lose their forests.

Many tribal concentration regions and states have also been experiencing the problem of heavy in-migration of non-tribals in response to the pressures of development. This threatens to disrupt and overwhelm tribal communities and cultures, besides accelerating the process of exploitation of tribals.

As development projects attract workers and investment to tribal regions, non-tribal people often migrate into these areas. This influx can create competition for resources and cultural clashes, leading to tensions between the local tribal communities and new settlers. Over time, these changes can dilute the traditional practices and identities of the tribes, undermining their cultures and pushing them further into marginalization.

Think about a small town that has a rich and vibrant culture. When a large corporation opens a factory in this town, people from other regions flock in for jobs, bringing different customs and lifestyles. Over time, the original town's culture may fade away as new influences overshadow the local traditions, just like how tribal cultures can be threatened by in-migration.

Another significant development is the gradual emergence of an educated middle class among tribal communities. Most visible in the North-eastern states, this is now a segment beginning to be seen in the rest of the country as well, particularly among members of the larger tribal communities.

Despite the challenges faced by tribal communities, there has been a positive development with the rise of an educated middle class. This emerging middle class is increasingly educated and professionally engaged, which helps to strengthen tribal identity and push for rights and representation. This group is critical in advocating for the needs and interests of their communities, seeking better access to resources, education, and political power.

Imagine a community that has always relied on farming, but as time passes, some young people go to college and start working in various professions. They return to their community with new ideas and skills, helping others understand their rights and improve their circumstances. In the same way, educated tribal individuals can uplift their communities through advocacy and education.

Assertions of tribal identity are on the rise. This can be laid at the door of the emergence of a middle class within the tribal society. With the emergence of this class in particular, issues of culture, tradition, livelihood, even control over land and resources, as well as demands for a share in the benefits of the projects of modernity, have become an integral part of the articulation of identity among the tribes.

As more educated individuals emerge from tribal communities, there is a growing assertion of tribal identity. This means that as they become aware of their rights and heritage, they become more vocal about the importance of preserving their culture, traditions, and rights over natural resources. This resurgence of identity is critical for their survival in a rapidly modernizing world, and they often advocate for equitable treatment in development projects.

Think of an artist who learns traditional techniques from their elders and begins to promote their art in the city. This artist stands not only for their work but also for their culture, advocating for recognition and respect for their heritage. Similarly, educated tribal individuals are standing up for their identities and rights amid modernization.

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