proposed Indian tribal bill threatens forests and wildlife

[Guest guest]

The Indian Ministry of Tribal Affairs has drafted a bill

called the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill 2005,

which aims to confer greater rights on forest-dwelling indigenous

people. The C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation has been working with

the tribals for over 20 years, and we are happy that their existence

is being finally recognized.

However, the Bill in its present form is disastrous for the

forests of India and the fast-disappearing wildlife.

The proposed Bill contravenes and debars the provisions of

the Indian Forest Act of 1927, Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and

Forest Conservation Act of 1980. This creates license to destroy the

forests and wildlife.

The Bill proposes to distribute forest land at the rate of

2.5 hectares per nuclear family, to be used for habitation or

self-cultivation for livelihood needs. But, there is no nuclear

family concept among the tribes.

Only 20% of India is forested, of which less than 17% has

thick forest. India needs to save the remaining forest cover and try

to increase it to 33%. This Bill will do the opposite. More that 8%

of India's population is tribal. Awarding 2.5 hectares to each

family means giving away 50 million hectares, or 74% of India's

remaining forests. This will be the end of Indian forests and

wildlife, and will give free access to timber and land mafias.

The rivers of India originate in the forest. Destruction of

the forests will only deepen India's water crisis.

The Bill also gives tribals access to biodiversity, in

contradiction to the provisions of the Biodiversity Act of 2002;

grants rights in perpetuity; and promises the conversion of leases of

forest land into titles.

Tribals must be helped to improve their lives. They can be

employed as watchers, forest guards, etc., and must have equitable

access to the benefits accruing from the forests. If they want to

pursue agriculture, give them productive land. Tribals need

livelihoods, not a licence to be exploited by the land and timber

mafias and corrupt officials who alone will benefit by this Bill.

The Bill may be read at the Ministry of Tribal Affair's web

site, <www.tribal.nic.in>.

Comments may be addressed to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime

Minister of India, South Block, Raisina Hill, New Delhi 110011;

fax 91-11-2301-9545 or 2301-6857; or enter his web site,

<pmindia.nic.in>, and send an electronic message.

 

--Dr. Nanditha Krishna

Hon. Director

C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation

Chennai, India

<nankrishna

 

 

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