Historical Political Ecology in India: Power, Policy, and Environmental Responses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2026.v11.n02.022Keywords:
Political Ecology, Environmental Change, Resource Extraction, Indigenous Communities, Adaptation Strategies, Colonial Forest LawsAbstract
Political ecology focuses on understanding how power relations, political institutions, and historical developments influence environmental conditions and consequences. In the Indian context, environmental problems such as deforestation, displacement of communities, mining activities, and dam construction are closely connected with the legacy of colonial rule and the development policies adopted after independence. These processes have formed patterns of environmental change and have often created vulnerabilities for certain sections of society, especially indigenous groups and rural communities who depend heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods. This study examines the historical development of political ecology in India and explores how state policies, economic expansion, and resource extraction have influenced ecological conditions over time. The research draws on archival sources, existing scholarly work, and selected case studies, including colonial forest laws, large dam projects, and mining regions in eastern India. Through these examples, the paper investigates both the structural causes of environmental degradation and the ways in which affected communities have responded and adapted to these challenges. It also marks the importance of grassroots resistance movements and community-based initiatives that question dominant development models and advocate for more sustainable and equitable environmental practices. The analysis suggests that environmental problems cannot be fully understood without considering their social, political, and historical contexts. By placing contemporary ecological challenges within this broader framework, the study argues for adaptation strategies that are inclusive, historically informed, and sensitive to issues of power and inequality. The findings indicate that achieving sustainable environmental governance in India requires acknowledging past injustices, addressing structural inequalities, and recognizing the role and agency of marginalized communities. Such an approach not only improves our understanding of environmental change but also helps in shaping policies that reduce ecological risks while promoting social justice.
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