Margins of Conservation: Indigenous Resistance and Ecological Politics in The Hungry Tide
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20251572Keywords:
Tribal, Indigenous, Representation, Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati RoyAbstract
Introduction: The paper explores the representation of Indigenous tribal communities in Amitav Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide, focusing on how their lived experiences and sentiments often stand in stark contrast to state laws and policies.
Method: Through The Hungry Tide, Ghosh narrates the struggles of the displaced settlers and indigenous groups in the Sundarbans, highlighting the friction between environmental conservation policies and the rights of marginalized communities. Roy’s Walking with the Comrades offers a journalistic account of the Naxalite movement in India, portraying the deep-seated grievances of tribal communities against state oppression, displacement, and militarization.
Results: The novel reveals how the state’s legal and developmental frameworks often disregard indigenous perspectives, treating them as obstacles rather than rightful stakeholders of their land. The paper examines the portrayal of forced evictions, ecological conflicts, and insurgency as resistance, arguing that these literary works serve as counter-narratives to the state’s dominant discourse. By juxtaposing fiction with non-fiction, the study sheds light on the intersection of literature, politics, and human rights, questioning the legitimacy of laws that prioritize economic and environmental interests over the survival of indigenous communities.
Conclusion: This paper uncovers how Ghosh and Roy challenge hegemonic narratives, giving voice to the indigenous communities marginalised by history and policy.
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