Livelihood, Marginalisation, and the Development Paradox among Tribal Communities

Livelihood, Marginalisation, and the Development Paradox among Tribal Communities offers a comprehensive exploration of the persistent socio-economic, cultural, and political marginalisation of tribal communities in India, with a focused case study on the Kani communities of Kuttichal Grama Panchayat, Kerala. Anchored in the theoretical frameworks of social exclusion, subaltern, and intersectionality, the book critically interrogates the paradox of development, wherein state-led welfare initiatives coexist with enduring deprivation and marginalisation. The study situates tribal marginalisation within both global and national contexts, highlighting the structural inequalities Indigenous and tribal peoples face in accessing resources, education, livelihoods, and the benefits of development. Drawing on extensive field-based research across 27 settlements, the book explores how multiple intersecting social, economic, and political factors constrain agency and shape opportunities. It also scrutinizes the implications of the Kerala Model of Development, revealing how the state’s high human development indicators can obscure persistent inequities among tribal populations. A key strength of this work lies in its integrative approach, combining micro-level ethnographic insights with macro-level policy analysis. This work elucidates the livelihood-development paradox, exposing the disjunction between policy intentions and the lived realities of the Kani communities. The volume is an invaluable resource for academics, students, policymakers, and development practitioners in Anthropology, Sociology, Development Studies, and Tribal Studies who are committed to advancing social justice and more equitable models of Indigenous development.