Development vis-à-vis Degrowth: Stories of Resistance, Struggle, and Survival from the Postcolonial Western Ghats

One of the eight “hottest hotspots” biodiversity according to UNESCO, Western Ghats have much be credited for historical prosperity western peninsular India. The colonial era marked beginning ecological diversity forests Ghats, spawning new rules and policies in state. consequent land allocations posed a challenge community identity indigenous tribes region. Even after India’s independence, native successors governance ownership inherited capitalist imperialist claiming reduce poverty through development. rampant growth strategies unpredictable climatic variations with cycle drought torrential rain further threatened stability also pushed into destitution displacement. This paper attempts analyze literary works chronicling tribal lives alongside social narratives on recent harsh adverse effects unsustainable southwest acclaimed novel Kocharethi Araya Woman brings fore powerful statements race rights Arayar against backdrop Ghats. woes Badaga population Nilgiris amidst development interventions are core When Kurinji Blooms. read how poignant from clarion call redefine broader cultural process decolonizing paradigms.