Empowerment of Tribal Women in Forest-Based Livelihoods: An Analytical Study of Government Measures in Southern Kerala

Tribal women in Kerala constitute a vital component of forest-based livelihood systems, particularly in the collection and marketing of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).Despite their significant economic contribution, they have historically faced socio-economic marginalization, limited market access, price instability, and inadequate institutional support.The Government of Kerala, through agencies such as the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department and the Scheduled Tribes Development Department, has implemented targeted interventions including Vanasree outlets, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), and the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme for Minor Forest Produce to enhance income security and promote women's empowerment.The present study adopts a descriptive and analytical research design and is based on primary data collected from 60 tribal women engaged in forest resource collection and marketing in Southern Kerala.Data were gathered through a structured interview schedule and analyzed using percentage and tabular methods.The findings reveal moderate awareness and active participation in government schemes, with a majority of respondents reporting improvement in income and socio-economic status.However, persistent challenges such as price fluctuations, transportation constraints, and limited value-addition infrastructure continue to affect livelihood sustainability.