The Making of a Tribal Landscape As a Hill Station: A Case of Daringbadi in Odisha, India

Located in high hills with milder climate, the British Raj in India created numerous hill stations throughout the Indian subcontinent. These locations were exclusive to the white British officials and their retinue with the native Indians relegated to the margins of the social, economic and political landscapes. Most often than not, prior to the arrival of the British Raj, these locations were inhabited by various tribal groups. The creation of a network of infrastructure and other facilities for the elites of the Raj witnessed the dispossession of indigenous tribal groups from the regions. While the post-colonial Indian state has witnessed the democratisation of access to these landscapes with native Indians ruling the hills, however, the lifeworld of the dispossessed tribal groups has not witnessed many changes. The present study looks at the contemporary making of a similar hill station in the tribal landscape of Daringbadi in post-colonial Odisha. Situated at a height of 3000 ft above the mean sea level and densely wooded, Daringbadi is inhabited by the Kutia Kondh tribe with its unique language and culture. However, neoliberal transformation of the state meant that the Kutia Kondh tribe are not at the frontlines of decision-making processes to transform the hills into a touristy landscape for the tastes of urban middle class Indians. The study engages with multiple stakeholders in understanding the dynamics of making of this new hill station in central India.