Debating Caste, Environment and Development Model of India: A Perspective from Below

In the era of neoliberalism, India’s developmental trajectory has been shaped significantly by the influence of liberalism and market-oriented reforms, which have prioritised economic growth, industrial expansion and infrastructural development. In many ways, these policies have opened up new avenues for the marginalised communities in terms of their mobility and inclusion. Increased access to education, employment opportunities, and welfare schemes has helped in improving the material condition of some sections of the marginalised communities. However, the benefits have been uneven, and the developmental model has adversely affected the same communities, particularly those reliant on the natural resources for their survival. Land acquisition, environmental degradation and displacement have disrupted traditional livelihoods and deepened the socio-economic vulnerabilities of marginalised communities. The history, life and culture of Adivasis have always been closely connected with nature. However, the ex-untouchable communities are also linked equally with nature, as they celebrate many festivals which are connected with nature. The worship of Bhumidevi, Matidevi and Vandevi shows their inclination towards nature. The historical experiences of Dalits with nature have always been associated with pollution, impurity and dirt. The hierarchies of caste have been reproduced by using nature. This work shows how caste hierarchies continue through the exploitation of nature. Therefore, it is important to critically examine the intersection of neoliberal development and caste-based exclusion in shaping environmental access, marginalisation and vulnerabilities.