Abstract: This paper discusses the issue of tribal development,
displacement, rehabilitation and resettlement policies, and
implementation in the agency (scheduled / tribal) areas of the West
Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh State, India. This study is based
on action anthropological approach, conducted among the displaced
tribal communities i.e. Konda Reddis and Nayakapods of this region,
under the 'Kovvada Reservoir' Project. These groups are
traditionally shifting cultivators and popularly known as the
Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) in the government records. This
paper also focuses on the issues of tribal displacement and land
alienation due to construction of the Kovvada reservoir, without
proper rehabilitation and resettlement, although there are well
defined guidelines, procedures and norms for the rehabilitation of
Project Affected Persons (PAPs). It is necessary to begin with, to
provide an overview of the issues in tribal development and policies
related to displacement and rehabilitation in the Indian context as a
background to the Kovvada Reservoir Project, the subject of this
study.