Guest guest Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 Forest people of India in land win S.O. News service, New Delhi, 19 Dec.: The bill, which still requires presidential approval to become law, will give them a legal right to stay in the forest and live off its produce. But conservationists are worried the bill could damage the forest and lead to an increase in poaching. More than 40m people live in India's forests, foraging for honey and fruit. India's forest dwellers are among the poorest and most marginalised people in the country. Without the rights to the land of their forefathers, many have been ordered to make way for logging and mining companies. Forest people say they have been robbed of their rights Those who have resisted complain of being treated like criminals. The Tribal Affairs Minister, PR Kyndiah, said the government was now recognising rights which had been taken away by environmental laws. He told parliament that he wanted to do away with that injustice. Our mission, he said, is to bring relief to the most "deprived of the deprived". In all, more than 27m people could benefit from this law. They will be allowed to farm on small plots of land and be given the right to collect forest produce like honey, wax, medicinal plants and herbs. But they will not be allowed to hunt wild animals. Families living in protected areas of national parks and reserves will be relocated and compensated. However some conservationists are concerned that the law could encourage more people to move into the forest. They are worried it could also hamper efforts to protect India's endangered wildlife, such as its tigers. http://www.sahilonline.org/english/nationalnews.asp?nid=1967&sid=108377290 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.