Development paradoxes and livelihood vulnerabilities among the Kani tribes in Kerala, India

Kerala presents an interesting case, as scheduled tribes continue to face marginalisation despite the state’s high human development indicators, which shows that overall progress does not guarantee inclusion for all communities. This paper examines the paradox between development policies and the continued marginalisation of tribal communities. It focuses on the livelihood, socio-cultural, economic, and political conditions of the Kani tribes in Kuttichal Grama Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram. The chief objective is to understand how these intersecting factors influence development outcomes and perceptions of state interventions among the Kani community. The study argues that tribal marginalisation persists not because of the absence of policies, but because of a development – livelihood paradox. This paradox is characterised by structural inequalities, gendered power relations, ecological vulnerability, and weak institutional responsiveness, all of which undermine the effectiveness of policies. The research draws on the frameworks of social exclusion, subaltern studies, and intersectionality to analyse how livelihood challenges, gender relations, and governance structures interact to shape tribal access to resources and participation in development processes. The findings reveal that despite welfare programmes, Kani livelihoods remain insecure, gender inequalities persist, and top-down governance structures restrict meaningful participation, which creates a disconnect between policy intentions and lived realities.