ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY AND TRIBALS IN MODERN INDIA

Book Details:

• Author: Velayutham Saravanan

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2024

• ISBN: 9789819701889

• Pages: 228

• Cover: Hardcover

About the Book

This monograph offers a thorough exploration of the environmental history of India and its tribals, spanning from the late eighteenth century to the present, covering both colonial and post-colonial periods. The book critically examines the colonial exploitation of forest resources, especially timber, and the establishment of coffee and tea plantations, marking the beginning of large-scale environmental transformation.

The book highlights the introduction of the Forest Act of 1878 and the profound impact of colonial policies that facilitated the plunder of forest resources, while simultaneously restricting tribal access to these lands. Despite the advent of conservation policies, the exploitation of forests continued, and post-colonial governments perpetuated commercial forest policies until the 1980s, further undermining the self-sustaining tribal economy.

In addition to the colonial history, the book discusses how populist politics shaped forest policies in post-independence India and analyzes the repercussions of these policies on India's environment and the tribals. It also offers a critical look at the Forest Rights Act of 2006 and its impact on tribal communities. This work contributes significantly to ongoing debates on environmental policy in Asia.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Exploitation of Forests, 1793-1882

3. Conservation or Commercialisation, 1882-1947

4. Forests and Tribals, 1950-2000

5. Environment and Subaltern Struggle, 1990-2000

6. Impact of Forest Rights Act, 2006

7. Conclusion

About the Author

Velayutham Saravanan is a Professor and Director of the Centre for Jawaharlal Nehru Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University), New Delhi. He has held several key positions, including Director of the School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies at IGNOU, New Delhi. Saravanan has authored numerous publications, including Colonialism, Environment and Tribals in South India, 1792-1947 (2017), and has presented over 40 research papers at national and international forums. His expertise lies in the intersection of colonialism, environmental history, and tribal studies, with more than 60 articles published on these subjects.