This paper tries to unearth the relationship between notions of protection and improvement that we encounter in the context of “tribes” and their development. It has a historical basis in creating the “primitive” through “ rule of difference” in the context of colonial governmentality. The idea of “primitive” has continued in the post-colonial period, even though the focus of the discourse has changed from civilizing mission to development. The shift and reinforcement of these ideas and language of domination has also to be considered in response to practical constraints and challenges that is associated with post-colonial governmentality. The paper also explores the practices and effect of it in a “tribal” local in Kerala, South India.

     Dr Suresh.M is currently an Assistant Professor in TISS, Bombay. He did his PhD from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. He worked on the history of forest management in Travancore, and examined the space and economy of "tribes." He is currently working on "tribes", development and the state in south India.