Rich lands and poor Adivasis – how to address this inherent contradiction in tribal areas
PRADAN, a non–profit that works to reduce poverty in rural India, recently released the report on the Status of Adivasi Livelihoods 2021. This report presents two contradictory facets of tribal life.
On one hand, it presents Adivasi as a society with a rich culture, tradition and worldviews that have shaped their relationship with nature, among themselves and with the larger society. Adivasis prioritise community well-being over individual progress, practise cooperation and togetherness, live in harmony with nature and do not prefer the accumulation of wealth.
On the other hand, the 2021 report shows Adivasi are also a group of communities that are poor, illiterate, malnourished and vulnerable.
Does this contradiction reflect the mindset of the study designer group, preoccupied with the thought that Adivasis are a group of impoverished people? Or, does this contradiction exist in reality? If this contradiction exists, then what are the possible reasons?