Abstract

The present study focuses on the change in the interaction between people and land that has occured in a tribal area in the context of increasing influence of economically advanced and politically powerful groups. The investigations were carried out in Attappady, Palakkad District, Kerala, which is one of the three tribal centres of the state. Social, economic and biophysical features of the area were studied using primary data collected mainly by the participant observation method. Agriculture, landuse, development projects, man-forest interaction, socio-economic relationships were examined so as to arrive at a picture of the human ecology of tribal communities of the region. Specific and general studies were carried out. The landuse of Attappady has changed drastically during the past few decades. The forest ecosystem of Attappady known for its past splendour has been totally destroyed except a few intact patches located in the southern and north-western sectors. Unless area development and ecorestoration programmes are launched side by side with beneficiary oriented programmes no breakthrough in tribal development can be achieved, in the study area. Land degradation and marginalisation are interconnected phenomena which are threatening the entire life-support system of tribal communities in Attappady. The traditional forms of local self government have eroded and centralised administration has taken their place. This has played an important role in the disintegration of the social fabric and has led to the demoralisation of the tribal people