Displacement and Rehabilitation of Tribal in India with Special Reference to Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

This book, edited by Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute, Andhra Pradesh which dealt that total rehabilitation of displaced is to be the first priority proceedings construction of actual tribal development projects. It is the end result of the national seminar on Displacement and Rehabilitation of Tribals in India with special reference to Andhra Pradesh, more than twenty one contributors such as Eminent Anthropologists, Sociologists, Environmentalists, Planners, Development functionaries etc expressed their views under the six sessions on development activities meant to exploit the natural resources have to be necessarily given priority in national interest and at the sometime programmes and policies are to be designed to benefit the local populace. The first session deals with a conceptual frame work on command over resources of the tribal people in the changing context. Basic typologies and the nature of issues of the project causing displacement discussed in the second session. The third session leads mainly on compensation, relocation and developmental rehabilitation followed by the next session focused public purpose, style of development and people's perspective. Fifth session, displacement and rehabilitation discussed by the experience of Andhra Pradesh. Finally, the session highlighted the people's partnership in ecologically viable and socially compatible development. The tribal people affected by some projects have been paid compensation for the land acquired in the tribal setting but some of the special features of the tribal situation such as their association with the territory, their emphasis on community life and cooperation, non-monetized, self-sufficient and undifferentiated economy and self-governance have not been taken into consideration at the time of displacement and rehabilitation of the tribals, so as to avoid social disorganization and economic destitution of the affected tribals. In case of irrigation projects, they suggested that the tribals who are likely to be displaced have to be assigned land in the command area of that project, it may be purchased from private individuals who own more land if government land is not available. Rehabilitation measures should under no circumstance lead to perpetual struggle for survival of the local tribal. Regular livelihood for the displaces should be created near their original habitat only as far as possible or else near the vicinity so as to maintain their socio-religious contacts with their own habitat.