Environment refers to the totality of physical, biological and social surroundings in which living organisms exist and interact. It includes land, water, air, forests, minerals, climate, plants, animals and human beings along with their cultural, economic and political institutions. The environment is not merely a collection of natural elements but a dynamic system where biotic and abiotic components continuously influence each other. In the context of tribal economy, polity and governance, environment assumes special significance because tribal communities traditionally maintain a close and symbiotic relationship with nature. Their livelihood systems, social organization and belief structures are deeply rooted in forests, rivers, hills and other natural resources. Natural resources are the materials and components provided by nature that are useful to humans for survival and development. These include renewable resources such as forests, water, soil and wildlife, and non-renewable resources such as minerals, fossil fuels and certain groundwater reserves. In India, natural resources form the backbone of both rural and tribal economies. Forest produce like bamboo, tendu leaves, honey, lac and medicinal plants constitute a significant part of tribal livelihoods. Land and water resources support agriculture, shifting cultivation and pastoral activities. Minerals such as coal, bauxite and iron ore, often located in tribal-dominated regions, contribute significantly to national economic growth but also create challenges for local communities. Environment security refers to the protection and sustainable management of environmental resources in a way that ensures long-term ecological balance and human well-being. It implies safeguarding ecosystems from degradation, preventing resource depletion, and ensuring equitable access to natural resources. In India, environmental security is closely linked with issues of poverty, development, displacement and tribal rights. Since a large proportion of tribal populations reside in ecologically sensitive and resource-rich regions, environmental policies directly impact their social and economic security. India’s natural resource base is diverse and extensive. The country has vast forest cover, rich biodiversity, major river systems like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, and significant mineral deposits concentrated in states such as Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. However, rapid industrialization, urbanization and population growth have exerted immense pressure on these resources. Deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution and loss of biodiversity threaten environmental sustainability. For tribal communities, these environmental changes translate into loss of livelihood, cultural disintegration and increased vulnerability. The tribal economy in India has traditionally been subsistence-oriented and nature-based. Shifting cultivation, hunting-gathering, pastoralism and small-scale agriculture are common practices. These systems were generally sustainable,