Abstract
The relationship between indigenous communities and their natural environment is deeply rooted in their traditional way of life. Against this backdrop, the research article examines the life of the பளியர் tribal community of the Western Ghats as portrayed in the novel, ‘Kaanagan’. The study explores how forests and natural resources are exploited through the interventions of modernization, industrialization, and dominant power structures. It analyses how deforestation for activities such as cannabis cultivation, the hunting of wild animals, and the disruption of ecological balance adversely affect the livelihoods of tribal communities and erode their traditional knowledge of medicinal practices. The research further examines the ways in which the intrusion of dominant forces into forest spaces threatens the community’s relationship with its natural environment and undermines its traditional way of life. Ultimately, the article argues that restoring the land, labour, and rights of tribal communities from exploitative power structures is essential for achieving their genuine social and economic advancement.