It's sad nobody is talking about tribals on World Environment Day: NCST chairman

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) chairman Nand Kumar Sai Wednesday said tribal people, who live close to nature and worship it, are being driven out of forests and nobody is willing to talk about them on World Environment Day.

He also suggested that MPs hold an intensive discussion on the issue of pollution on the first day of the Budget Session of Parliament that is scheduled to begin on June 17.

"The condition is so bad. People are dying due to the oppressive heat. You are cutting down trees in the name of development and driving tribal people out of their home.These people live close to nature, worship and protect it. But sadly, no one is willing to talk about their plight on World Environment Day," Sai told PTI.

On the issue of land ownership of tribals, he asked, "Who are you to question their right over forest land?"