Roots of Resilience: Analyzing Tribal Economies and Livelihoods in Contemporary North India

Abstract

This paper investigates the evolving dynamics of tribal economies and livelihoods in North India, with a particular focus on communities in Uttar Pradesh. Traditionally dependent on shifting cultivation, forest produce collection, and pastoralism, these communities are undergoing profound changes due to displacement, ecological degradation, and inadequate implementation of protective legislations like the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006. Drawing from field data, NGO reports, and recent surveys, the study highlights the alarming shift toward wage labor, stone quarrying, and seasonal migration, often at the cost of cultural identity, ecological knowledge, and food security. The paper documents how displacement has led to significant losses in farmland, forest access, and housing among tribal families—forcing over 70% into precarious labor markets. Despite constitutional protections and policy frameworks, FRA implementation in Uttar Pradesh remains dismal, with a rejection rate of 48% and only 22% of claims approved. By integrating anthropological insights with ground-level data, the paper underscores the urgent need for inclusive, rights-based development that acknowledges tribal resilience while addressing structural injustices.