Theorizing a post-extractivist future for India

• How is extractivism in India leading to increased social resistance movements and ecological distribution conflicts?
• What is the scope and severity of social violence of the extractive sector in India?
• What could a post-extractive framework based on post-growth thinking look like?

These are some of the key questions of this research project, 'Theorizing a post-extractivist future for India: Evidence from a meta-analysis of social resistance movements against environmental injustices at resource peripheries in India', conducted by LEaDing fellow Dr Arpita Bisht.

Over the last decades, India has seen a rise in ecological distribution conflicts (EDCs) and environmental and social justice movements in defence of land, ecosystems and human rights. India has the highest number of documented EDCs across the world, many which are a result of extractivism of mining and industrial ores. India also ranked fourth highest (globally) in terms of the number of land and environmental defenders killed in 2016.

Largely as a result of resource extraction, resource flows in India’s economy have almost quadrupled between 1961-2009. Yet these extractive activities have been concentrated in regions with dense forests and a high percentage of socioeconomically marginalized communities. This includes the Adivasi people whose culture and way of living is deeply embedded within the local ecosystem.

The research will furthermore explore the social violence of the extractive sector in India, looking at frequency, actors involved and areas where such violence is occurring.

Finally, the research will also look into post-extractive framework based on post-growth thinking.

Fieldwork

The research has 4 fieldwork areas, each corresponding to a different mineral that has contributed to a high frequency of conflicts.

• Jharkhand, Saranda Forests (iron ore)
• Jerella, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh (bauxite)
• Kerala (Beach sand mining, rare earth metals)
• Himachal Pradesh, Chakki riverbed (River sand)

Why is this research relevant?

The EDCs and environmental and social justice movements in India are part of a global trend of rising conflicts over natural resources. Worldwide resource extraction has expanded rapidly over the past century, amongst others through the expansion of extraction sites (the 'commodity frontiers'). Yet particularly in non-industrialized economies, these expansions have repeatedly led to ecological damages and displacement of communities already living in the area.

The expected and desired growth of the global economy imply further pressures on the natural resource base and ecosystems worldwide. As frontiers expand into new territories, more conflicts are likely to emerge. While this research thus focuses on the Indian context, its findings have much broader implications, including for example for EDCs in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa as well as South-East Asia. The findings can also feed into the broader ongoing discussions on transitioning to post-extractive and post-growth societies.

Collaborations

The research is being conducted by Dr Arpita Bisht (postdoc researcher) under the guidance of Professor Murat Arsel.