Ethnic identity and economic status: a comparative perspective of ethnic majority and minority communities in the Sundarbans in coastal India

Are there similarities or differences in economic status between two ethnic groups in coastal India that live near one another and are exposed to environmental stressors? The study investigates this primary question in the context of two ethnic groups–one Scheduled Tribe group that is a minority and one non-tribe group that is a majority–in the Sundarbans of West Bengal in the eastern part of India. We study the economic status of the two groups by collecting and analysing survey data on household income and expenditure patterns as well as different types of asset ownership. Our findings highlight that the non-tribe majority group is economically better positioned as compared to the Scheduled Tribe minority group. We demonstrate that the two groups have differential access to resources and support structures, which in turn amplifies economic vulnerabilities, especially in the context of climate change and extreme weather events. This creates a cyclical pattern of economic grievance that is especially burdensome among members of the minority Scheduled Tribe community relative to the non-tribe group. We provide insights into these findings and discuss their implications in the context of challenges associated with climate change.