New economic reforms and livelihood transition of tribal women: A case study of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

Tribal economy in India has been witnessing substantial changes since the colonial period. After 1990s with the onset of neoliberal policy the whole approach to tribal development experienced a drastic change. Tribal economy fell into the hands of the market and private enterprises including corporate capitalists. Emphasis was given on the entry of private capital in tune with the process of global capitalist development. As a result, the tribals who were earlier drawing their livelihood from subsistence cultivation and forest resources compelled to switch to modern forms of economic activities. These changes would have impacted them differently. Though there are few studies which captured the issues such as displacement and rising inequality the changes taking place in tribal economy and livelihood in this context of neo-liberal reforms, among the tribes and women in particular is less known because most of these studies conducted in the central and peninsular India. Based on the village level data, the present study analyses the emerging changes in the tribal economy and their impact on livelihood of tribal women in Arunachal Pradesh.