India has traversed a long journey since independence; however, deep-rooted social inequalities related to caste, gender, minorities, and tribal communities continue to persist. Despite the implementation of numerous tribal development plans over the last seven decades, supported by substantial financial investments, the overall socio-economic and health conditions of tribal communities have shown limited improvement. This raises critical questions regarding the effectiveness of governmental policies and non-governmental interventions in addressing ground-level realities. Tribal development challenges in India are primarily associated with poverty, land alienation, displacement, health deprivation, and limited access to basic services. According to Census 2011, Scheduled Tribes constitute 8.6% of India’s total population and are predominantly concentrated in forest-rich and mineral-abundant regions. Ironically, development projects related to mining, industrialization, and natural resource extraction have disproportionately displaced tribal populations, adversely affecting their livelihoods and health. This paper focuses on the health issues of tribal communities in Maharashtra, particularly in the context of development projects, natural resource management, and mining activities. Using secondary data sources, the study explores the impact of displacement, socio-economic marginalization, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure on tribal health outcomes. The paper also highlights gaps in policy implementation and suggests the need for inclusive, context-specific, and community-centred approaches to improve tribal health and overall development.
Dr. Vijay Gade (Fri,) studied this question.