Hearing the Unheard:

Climate Displacement and Tribal Justice in India

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Authors – Khushi Pawar, Student, SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Deemed to be University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

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Month, Year of Publication – August, 2026

Abstract

Surpassing the fancy lifestyles of the metro and tier-1 cities, there exists a community in the forests, their life depends on these forests, it gives them their identity, it is their home. However, the irresistible problem of climate change is slowly pushing these communities away from their homes either because of developmental activities or the changing climate. Climate change has become a global issue, but for India’s tribal communities, it is posing significant threats to their lives and livelihoods. Despite the growing reality, Indian Law fails to specifically include climate induced displacement within its ambit. The legal framework is largely restricted to recognizing the problems caused by development induced displacement.
The article deeply analyses the problem by first diving into the conceptualization of displacement in the domestic legal frameworks and the judicial position on the same. Further, to illustrate the gravity of the issue through the real world instances, several examples from India have been quoted in the study. Additionally, the effects of climate-induced displacement on the cultural heritage of the tribal communities have been discussed and to substantiate them, several examples have been covered from studies conducted in Indian tribal areas. Primarily, the importance of providing recognition to climate-induced displacement wherein various constitutional and policy reforms have been suggested with a special reference to the best international practices in this regard and what inspiration India can draw from the same to resolve the issue at the domestic level. Towards the conclusion, the article showcases how a fundamental reorientation of climate governance is the need of the hour.

keywords

climate-induced displacement, tribal justice, environmental policy, India

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Cite as

Pawar, K. “Hearing the Unheard: Climate Displacement and Tribal Justice in India” International Journal of Legal Policy, Vol.2(2) 67-81 (2026).