The Silenced Drums: A Review of Tribal Economic Development

In an era of globalisation and privatisation, when the entire world economy is undergoing structural changes with wide-ranging ramifications to the developing countries, the fate of tribal people is a matter of concern to administrators and development agencies like NGOs, banks and others. There is a need to ensure sustainable development of tribals through innovative interventions and funding from international institutions and the Government. The book analyses various issues and problems of tribals in India and Orissa in particular. It is the first book of its kind on tribal economic development which deals with the specific problems and needs of the tribals. Due to historical reasons, tribal society has not been able to catch up with the changing needs of society. Indifferent and unrealistic policies not only drive tribal people to absolute poverty but also drive them out of their natural habitats. Keeping this in mind, the book discusses various aspects of tribal development in a pragmatic and realistic way. Salient Features: Tribal life, mode of production and changing needs of the tribal society; Tribal participation in forest and sustainable development; Role of NGOs, Voluntary Agencies and Self Help Groups in tribal development; Tribal exploitation by the middlemen and traders; Women participation in developmental activities and afforestation; Role of banking institutions in tribal development; Documents the exploitation of tribals due to land alienation, bondage, forest rights, deforestation and forced migration etc; Critical analysis of various state and central developmental schemes and initiatives; Detailed review of an integrated approach to tribal economic development that is implementable and acceptable to the tribals through participatory techniques; Explains specific initiatives to deal with the specific tribal problems. Besides, the book offers exhaustive information and an incisive study of the various components of the tribal economy, reviews past achievements and failures and evolves an implementable model of tribal economic development with participation by the tribal people in all stages of the process.