Volume VI Special Issue VI September 2026

Name of Author : T. Narayana

Title of the paper : The Cost of Conservation: Ecological Hegemony, Indigenous Marginalization, and Environmental Justice in Amitav Ghoshs The Hungry Tide

Abstract: This paper examines Amitav Ghoshs The Hungry Tide through the interconnected perspectives of ecological hegemony, Indigenous marginalization, and environmental justice. Set in the Sundarbans, the novel presents a fragile ecosystem where conservation policies often conflict with the survival needs of local communities. The study argues that environmental protection, although essential, can become a form of ecological hegemony when state institutions and conservation authorities prioritize wildlife over the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous and marginalized people. Through the experiences of characters such as Fokir, Kusum, and the residents of Morichjhapi, the novel reveals the unequal distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. The research also highlights the significance of Indigenous ecological knowledge, which is rooted in lived experience and sustainable interaction with nature. Unlike scientific conservation models that often exclude local voices, Indigenous knowledge promotes coexistence between humans and the environment. Drawing on the concepts of environmental justice, postcolonial ecocriticism, and Indigenous Studies, this paper explores how Ghosh critiques dominant conservation practices that ignore historical displacement, social inequality, and cultural identity. The study further demonstrates that the novel challenges the conventional understanding of conservation by emphasizing the need for inclusive environmental policies that recognize Indigenous rights and participation. By foregrounding the relationship between ecological power and social justice, The Hungry Tide encourages a more balanced approach to conservation that respects both biodiversity and human dignity. This research contributes to the growing field of environmental humanities by offering an interdisciplinary reading of the novel and by demonstrating how literary texts can illuminate the complex relationship between ecological governance, Indigenous communities, and environmental ethics in the contemporary world. The paper concludes that sustainable conservation is possible only when ecological protection is combined with social justice, cultural recognition, and the meaningful inclusion of Indigenous communities in environmental decision making.

Keywords : Ecological Hegemony; Indigenous Marginalization; Environmental Justice; Postcolonial Ecocriticism; conservation.

DOI :

Page Number : 99-104