The highly heterogeneous Adivasi represent India's de§facto (but not de jure) indigenous peoples. As ethnic§minorities Adivasis are not recognised as equal in§their socio-cultural distinctiveness and, as a§result, suffer widespread human rights violations and§are the target of misguided development schemes. The§most pressing issue is the loss of control over land§as, under the banner of national development, Adivasi§land is being opened up for resource extraction.§Adivasis are literally thrown out of the forest,§which is integral to their indigenous identity, while§for centuries they were pushed to the margins by§forces not dissimilar to those causing their§dispossession and forcible assimilation in the 21st§century. This book seeks to link anthropological with§international law concepts on indigenous peoples §land rights, leading to the research question: Why§are Adivasis being deprived of their land and can§they benefit from the fact that indigenous peoples§are being awarded more and more positive recognition§in international law? Taking two case studies from§South India it explores the relevance of human rights§law to Adivasi resistance strategies against land§alienation. sakriti opis