Tribal Rights And Issues

Tribal civilisations were distinctive from those seen in urban areas. Because they separated communities into multiple unequal sections, they often did not witness the Brahmanas’ social customs and beliefs. These groups were referred to as Tribes. Each tribe’s members shared an unbreakable connection of brotherhood. In India, there are 705 ethnic groups identified as STs, which are recognised as “Adivasis” in central India, which means “indigenous peoples.” The seven states of northeast India and the so-called “central tribal belt” ranging from Rajasthan to West Bengal have the highest proportion of Indigenous Peoples. They make up 8.6% of the entire population, with an approximate population of 104 million. Farming was their primary source of income. Hunter-gatherers and cattle herders were even present. Some tribes were migratory, relocating from one location to the next. Many big tribes lived in the jungles, mountains, deserts, and other difficult-to-access locations.

Status of Tribal Population in India

The condition and Status of Tribal population in India are getting worst with time. The tribal population of India is highly dependent upon agriculture and forest-based livelihoods. Where agricultural production provides a source of income for 43% of non-tribals, it also provides a source of income for 66% of tribal people. However, the proportion of tribal farmers has decreased in the past few decades, and more people seem to have become farm employees. 3.5 million tribal people have given up cultivation and other similar pursuits in the last decade. According to census reports from 2001 to 2011, the proportion of tribal farmers decreased by 10%, whereas the proportion of working labourers raised by 9%.

This could indicate that direct farming is no longer profitable or that individuals may not have the means to cultivate. They are entering the labour force as they have no other option left.

Problems faced by Indian Tribal Societies

• Losing of rights and control over the natural resources.

• Lack of awareness and education.

• Displacement and migration compulsions.

• Diminishing of identification.

• Healthcare and medication problems.

Recognition of Forest Rights Act 2006

The status of tribal population in India was pathetic. So, to protect the rights of the tribal societies, the Forest Rights Act was introduced in 2006. It was affirmed in recognition of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 that the traditional forest dwellers have rights to forest products. These groups depended on various purposes, including subsistence, housing, and other socio-cultural requirements. The Act covers rights of the individual such as self-cultivation and habitat, as well as community rights such as grazing cattle, fishery, and access to safe water bodies in forest areas, PVTGs’ habitat rights, Nomadic and Pastoral societies’ seasonal access to natural resources, biodiversity, society right to personal property and indigenous practices, identification of traditional customary rights, and the right to defend, regrow, preserve, or natural resources management.

Objectives of the Recognition of Forest Rights Act 2006

The welfare of traditional forest dwellers is the main objective of the Recognition of Forest Right Act 2006. Along with that, some of the objectives are as follows:

• The goal is to correct the injustices of the past that have been done to forest dwellers.
• To protect the forest inhabiting Tribal Groups and other traditional forest dwellers’ land rights, livelihood, and food and nutrition security.
• To enhance the forest protection process by assigning obligations and authorities to Forest Rights owners for fair usage, biodiversity protection, and ecological balance.

Conclusion

Culture is a sense of self-identity that separates one group of people from another. Humans and animals are separated by culture. Our identity depends on the preservation of culture. The essential quality of Indian society is the unity of diversity of culture. Among them is a tribal culture, which represents the tribal population’s distinct identity inside the country of India’s tribal peoples. Adivasi is a term used to describe a group of people who are native to the country (aboriginal), Vana vasi (traditional forest dweller) and Girijan (forest inhabitant) are two people who live in the forest (hill tribe). India’s tribal culture and customs. Almost every facet of Indian culture and civilisation is infused with traditions. India’s tribals are culturally significant in Indian society.

Many academics from and around the country have arrived to research tribal socio-cultural life. Some tribes are native to the area, while others have migrated from across the country. Tribes have their dialect, beliefs, customs and traditions, and religious faith in their cultures. Like a living creature, culture can flourish, multiply, and spread provided it is properly cared for; otherwise, we remain liable for its permanent death. We must take care of it and encourage it to flourish, or we will lose our worth as years pass.