Odisha tribals protest against dilution of forest rights

Tribals from Maoist-hit areas organised a rally here on Wednesday to protest against what they perceived to be the dilution of their forest rights.

Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said a landmark law recognizing the forest rights of India's tribes may be diluted to clear the way for infrastructure projects such as roads, railway lines, electricity towers and irrigation canals.

Thousands of tribals converged in the district and shouted slogans against the move.

Activist Haribandhu Karji said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government was trying to take away the rights of the tribes.

"Since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has come to power, it has been trying to dilute the Forest Rights Act, which was framed to uphold the rights of tribals over their land. It is trying to take away the tribal right of having a say in deciding the fate of their lands," said Karji.

Activists have felt that the move indicates how the pro-business policies of the government could hurt the environment and poor communities, including indigenous people.

"There are protests across the country against this move. We are here to raise the same issue. We are voicing this on behalf of all tribals that if the government will try to take away this right from tribals to favour industries, there will be a revolt across the country," Karji added.

Tribes make up more than eight percent of the country's 1.2 billion population. Yet many live on the margins of society - inhabiting remote villages and eking out a living from farming, cattle rearing and collecting and selling forest produce.

Social indicators in these communities, including literacy, child malnutrition and maternal mortality, are among the worst in the country. Neglect by the authorities and a Maoist insurgency in the country's central tribal belt have further exacerbated their plight.