Ecopolitics,Extractivism and Indigenous People: Development Paradox of the Asur Tribe in Jharkhand,India

Abstract

Ecopolitics of extractivism in natural resource-rich regions and the struggles of Indigenous communities are globally known phenomena. This article outlines the ecopolitics of extractivism leading to a development paradox, while the Indigenous Asur communities encounter the detrimental effects of mining and unfulfilled pledges of developmental agendas. Based on a qualitative research approach, it explores the lived experiences of the Asur (a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) in Gumla district of Jharkhand in India. It reveals that the Asur tribal people, influenced by promises of socio-economic development and better employment opportunities, consented to the acquisition of their land for bauxite mining. However, the failure of private sector entities to fulfil these promises has contributed to the policy-enabled patterns of mineral resource exploitation. The socio-ecological compensation for the sacred Asur tribe land formed a paradoxical scenario and development dynamics. The article underscores that the preservation of land rights, environmental sustainability and social welfare for tribal people has notably been futile in India. Moreover, the extractivism leading to severe health hazards, ecological destruction, depletion of forest resources, environmental pollution and loss of livelihood within the Asur habitat evidenced from the narratives. The analysis has implications for rights-based, ecologically grounded and Indigenous community-led approaches.