Changing pattern of Tribal Livelihoods a study of Adilabad district (A case study of Narnoor and Jainoor Mandals)

Abstract

The Constitution of India provided several safeguards for promoting and safeguarding the interest of the Scheduled Tribes. These safeguards have been provided to facilitate the implementation of the Directive Principles contained in Article 46 of the Constitution, which states that: the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the society and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. Sustainable livelihood is usually understood in terms of access and sustainable management of livelihood resources. However, in a broad sense, sustainable livelihood, particularly in the context of tribal people, is more appropriately seen in terms of enhancement of capabilities. Ensuring a subsistence income is not sufficient for this purpose. Rather, sustainability is a function of access to institutions and institutional resources in general and social and economic services in particular. Indeed, it would seem that the mainstreaming of tribal people require a broader approach, which effectively deals with their manifold vulnerabilities in a rather harsh physical environment. These vulnerabilities are perpetuated because of lack of access to and poor functioning of government programmes, such as Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS); Without ensuring proper implementation of livelihood programmes, sustainable development is going to fade in the long run. On the other hand, making the state do its job of enhancing capabilities is essential. There is an immediate requirement of pragmatic considerations to mobilize tribal people. This may contribute to strengthening the organised articulation of the fundamental livelihood struggles of tribal people.