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Author: search.filters.author.Prabhakar, TharaSubject: search.filters.subject.500104 Human rights and justice issues (excl. law)

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    Environmental justice, sustainability, and equity : contemporary challenges faced by Jana of Wayanad District, Kerala, India : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025-02-02) Prabhakar, Thara
    This social work thesis examines the role of social workers in supporting and creating spaces for self-determining Jana welfare. It explores Jana’s experiences of injustices, future aspirations, and worldviews underpinning sustainability and explores the supports needed to achieve sustainable community and environmental outcomes. Rooted in a historical analysis of contemporary issues using colonisation literature, this research employs a green social work theoretical framework to contextualise key concepts and their interconnectedness. The socio-historic ontological stance acknowledges the socially and historically constructed nature of Jana’s reality. Utilising community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) aligned with inbetweener epistemological positioning, this study employed a critical constructive conceptual framework to engage the participants in co-creating knowledge. Methodologically, this study utilised a three-tiered approach comprising of koottam (community meetings), photovoice, and in-depth interviews to gather data from the Jana communities. The key research findings confirm that Jana, similar to Indigenous communities worldwide experience environmental, social, and human rights violations. Secondly, Jana’s worldview of coexisting with nature provided knowledge about how traditional knowledge can achieve global sustainability. Furthermore, it emphasised the relevance of Governments partnering with communities for conservation. Thirdly, the Jana had clear visions and hopes about their future amidst their experiences of violations. However, the constant neglect of the governance systems contributed to feeling of hopelessness and concern about their future. Therefore, their land struggles remained alive for their children to have a better future. Lastly, the Jana shared their perspectives for achieving their welfare. This study has both theoretical and practical implications. The significant implications and recommendations of the results included (1) acknowledging the significance of place belongingness within the environmental justice context, (2) environmental injustices epitomise and perpetuate other forms of injustices for Jana, (3) acknowledgement of Jana as Indigenous, (4) utilising strength-based social work practice framework with Jana, (5) recruitment of community-based cultural facilitator(s), and creating reflexive spaces for engaging Jana in social work research, and (6) strengthening social work education within educational institutions, NGOs, and government agencies. These implications underscore the significance of addressing Jana’s welfare from grassroots, strength-based, and community-driven perspective. To effect sustainable change, this study highlights revitalising social workers’ roles in advocating and community collaboration at the grassroots level.