Tribals take to roads to protect forest rights

The Statesman, 4th August, 2009

;Statesman News Service

BHUBANESWAR, 3 AUG: As part of the nationwide agitation called by the Campaign For Survival and Dignity, a national platform of tribal and forest dwellers’ organisation, to protest the alleged attempt to sabotage the Forest Rights Act, 2006; hundreds of tribals from different districts of the state thronged the capital city and staged a demonstration here today. Representatives of many people’s organisation like Orissa Jan Adhikar Morcha, Adivashi Kranti Sangathan, Kalahandi Mahila Sangha and Adivashi Ekata Sangha participated in huge numbers in the agitation. “Though the passage of the Forest Rights Act in December 2006, was a historic step forward for the struggle against the autocratic, brutal and repressive rule of colonial laws, it is not just enough to overturn a century of oppression. Today, the fight continues for a new order in the forests ~ one built around democracy in stead of bureaucracy ~ around the people rather than the officials; and around the forests and their citizens rather than the corporate and the capital,” said Mr Nikunja Bhutia, convenor, Orissa Jan Adhikar Morcha.The prime demands of the agitators included a complete halt of the forest department interference, exclusion of rights holder and violation of people’s right under the Forest Rights Act; recognition of the tribals’ and other forest dwellers’ right and power to protect and control the forest resources and a complete check on forest destruction. They later submitted memoranda addressed to the governor, chief minister and chief secretary.