Sustainable Livelihoods of Tribal Communities in Odisha, India

Book excerpt: In India, indigenous tribal communities are the most backward sections of the society and they have been a matter of great concern for the Government. More than 87 per cent of the country’s tribal population is confined to 11 states, among which Odisha has the largest number of tribal communities and Mayurbhanj district has the highest concentration of tribes. Throughout the history of development, tribal communities were trapped in a vicious circle of exploitation. This led to social discontent and unrest, resulting in extremist activities, which can be prevented only by more meaningful development of the tribal areas. This book is divided into 10 chapters, each dealing with very crucial and relevant issues. It will be useful for policy makers dealing with livelihood issues, social exclusion and tribal development-related projects.