Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, India
This study examines the developmental trajectory of Indigenous-majority regions in Odisha, India, from 1994 to 2021, against the backdrop of persistent concerns over Indigenous marginalization. Despite constitutional safeguards and targeted policy interventions, Indigenous communities, constituting...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125006229 |
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| Summary: | This study examines the developmental trajectory of Indigenous-majority regions in Odisha, India, from 1994 to 2021, against the backdrop of persistent concerns over Indigenous marginalization. Despite constitutional safeguards and targeted policy interventions, Indigenous communities, constituting nearly one-fourth of Odisha's population, continue to face severe socioeconomic disadvantages. Using district-level data, Composite Development Indices (CDIs) are constructed from 11 consistent socioeconomic indicators to analyze patterns of regional development and disparity over nearly three decades. Sigma and beta convergence analyses are employed to evaluate long-term trends in disparity, and the Group-Averaged Score Difference Method (GASDM) is used to identify key drivers of convergence or divergence. The findings reveal a persistent development gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous districts, with seven of the eight Indigenous-majority districts still classified as less or least developed. Critical deficits remain in literacy, road connectivity, and irrigation. These disparities are shaped by structural constraints such as colonial legacies, weak institutions, and governance failures. The study underscores the need for institutional reforms and targeted investments to promote inclusive development, aligning with the United Nations' “Leave No One Behind” agenda. |
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| ISSN: | 2590-2911 |