Keywords
State
Development
Presence
North Bengal
How to Cite
Abstract
Development is unvaryingly a form of change. Such change brings a transformative aspect to society and has the potential to impact the lives of people in both positive and negative ways. In post-colonial India, in the name of economic development, the state has resorted to several development initiatives in the form of rapid urbanization, extensive infrastructure buildings, and construction of large dams, roads, and highways. These developmental endeavors, which are critical for national interest and development, have nonetheless had a massive impact on Adivasis through land alienation, loss of traditional livelihoods, and other consequences. The case of the erstwhile Chandmoni Tea Garden on the outskirts of Siliguri city is a glaring example, as the tea estate was uprooted to make way for the development of an urban township and other commercial establishments, leading to the displacement of hundreds of workers mainly belonging to the Adivasi community. Of late, the government is encouraging private investment in the region for the development of the tourism industry. The West Bengal Tea Tourism and Allied Business Policy is a step in that direction. While the initiative seems rational, the stake and presence of Adivasis in such developmental endeavors are debatable; hence, the paper tries to locate Adivasis' (the indigenous population and major workforce in the region) presence in this developmental process.
References
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