Landless and Forgotten: Yanadi and Chenchu Communities Battle Neglect in Andhra Pradesh

Marginalised Yanadi and Chenchu communities in Andhra Pradesh are caught in a relentless cycle of landlessness, insecure housing, and precarious livelihoods, according to a report by The Hindu. Despite the existence of government welfare schemes, a stark gap persists between the living conditions of these tribal settlements and the surrounding urban areas, highlighting systemic neglect and the failure of state interventions to reach the most vulnerable.

The Yanadi and Chenchu are among India's most disadvantaged indigenous groups, historically dependent on forest resources and traditional livelihoods. Decades of displacement, lack of land titles, and inadequate housing have left them on the fringes of society. While Andhra Pradesh has implemented various tribal welfare programmes, activists and community leaders point to corruption, bureaucratic hurdles, and insufficient funding as key reasons for the persistent deprivation. Official data shows that a significant portion of tribal households in the state still lack basic amenities such as safe drinking water, sanitation, and electricity.

The continued marginalisation of the Yanadi and Chenchu raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of India's affirmative action policies and the commitment to inclusive development. As the state government prepares its next budget, pressure is mounting from civil society and opposition parties to allocate greater resources and ensure transparent implementation of welfare schemes. Without immediate and sustained action, these communities risk being further left behind in India's rapid urbanisation story.