Tribal and Land Alienation in Andhra Pradesh

This paper presents the problem of tribal land alienation in the Scheduled Areas of Andhra Pradesh. The paper examines the causative factors for tribal land alienation and its varied dimensions. Historically, tribals have had a rich cultural linkage with the natural resources. The cultural landed relationship, however, was altered or even eroded on the arrival of the non-tribal settlers from plain areas. Their entire life process was centered and built upon two major means of production, i.e., the forest and the land, both land and forest lands slipping from their control due to multiple interventions. Historical evidences reveal the uneven structural changes that have taken place from time to time due to the commoditisation of the tribal economy in which land plays a critical and predominant role. This paper argues that the laws which have been promulgated to protect the tribal land interests are not effectively implemented resulting in external appropriation of tribal lands in the Scheduled Areas.