From the other end: Tribals and democratic decentralisation in Kerala

This paper explores the contradictions of India s development trajectory by taking the case of the tribal population in the state of Kerala. The wide appreciation for the Kerala Model of development (characterised by significant achievements in social development, without corresponding economic development) within academic and policy circles, often neglects the impact of such a development trajectory on the marginalised populations of the state. Based on its performance during the past decade, Kerala has been assessed by the Govt. of India as the best performing state with respect to democratic decentralisation and panchayati raj. However, even the much celebrated decentralisation process in Kerala has not been able to deliver development benefits to the tribal population which was in most need of it. Has it ensured the participation of tribal communities in planning and vital decision making processes? Have they been empowered to do so? These are critical questions explored in this paper. The study area (Attapady Block in Palakkad district of Kerala) is afflicted by serious environmental degradation and resource depletion, as well as social inequities of a high order. The typical state response was to formulate and implement an externally assisted massive eco restoration programme, with a special emphasis on the tribal population. It was assumed by the state that the implementation of this special programme in conjunction with the decentralised planning process would ensure economic and social justice. While such a process has generated large-scale wage labour, it has not made any significant impact on access to critical resources, or to the process of political decisionmaking. Tribals continue to be at the margins, empowered to become beneficiaries, but not enlightened citizens