Mahanirban Calcutta Research group

Concept Note

Reimagining Security and Justice: Rights, Livelihood and Planetary Concerns
 

Concept Note

Building on previous years’ research concerning forms of non-traditional security—digital security, food security, land rights questions, the research agenda in 2026 is woven around framing environmental concerns within a broader human security framework. Climate- induced displacement, extraction regimes and the loss of traditional livelihoods create “tangible threats” that lead to internal migration and communal clashes. These insecurities disproportionately impact indigenous women and exacerbate tensions. Loss of economic agency as traditional informal economies collapse, increased vulnerability to human trafficking and domestic violence and security risks stemming from cross-border or inter- state spill-overs are outcomes of environment related insecurities. These factors also get reflected in urban contestations and call to question urban solidarity and resilience frameworks.

Themes of inquiry and dissemination for 2026:

1. The conundrum of resources will be the primary question which would be looked into. Right to land and other resources and how these rights are jeopardised in the face of extraction economy regimes.

2. Recognising indigenous communities’ rights and their roles as custodians of knowledge systems and resources, ensue conversations on ecological and resource sharing.

3. The nexus of climate change, deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, forest degradation and resultant social tensions questioning the so-called benefits of resource extraction to ask fundamental questions around “whose land is it” and “development for whom”.

4. Climate induced displacement is a cause of concern as more people are getting internally displaced every year due to extreme climatic events. Internal displacement and the rise in ethnic or communal clashes.

5. Looking into instances of cross-border (in case of Northeast) or inter-state spill that exacerbate clashes and threaten security.

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