Question
Write a note on ‘National Development versus tribal development’.
Solution
- National development, particularly in the Nehruvian era, involved the building of large dams, factories and mines. While the tribal areas were located in mineral rich and forest covered parts of the country.
- This type of national development has benefited the mainstream at the expense of the tribe. The process of dispossessing tribals of their land has occurred as essential by-product of the exploitation of minerals and other resources.
- During the British period, forests started to be systemtically exploited and this loss of forests affects the tribal economy.
- Heavy in-migration of non-tribal also threatens the tribals community and culture. The industrial areas of Jharkhand for example have suffered a dilution of the tribal share of population.
