[From the forest rights group]

18th April 2005

Tribal People Condemn MoEF's Malicious Misinformation Campaign.

The Tribal People condemn the misinformation campaign launched by Ministry
of Environment & Forests against the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Bill 2005 that the Government intends to table before Parliament. It
is unfortunate that MoEF is creating a false alarm in the minds of all
nature lovers that 16% of the forest cover of the nation will be lost if the
Bill is passed. In fact the objective of the Bill is the exact opposite.

It is unfortunate that MoEF denies today what it told the Supreme Court nine
months ago. On 21st. July 2004, MoEF claimed in its Affidavit that
historical injustice was done to the tribal people due to the failure of the
forest bureaucracy to recognize and record their rights during the
consolidation of forests both during the colonial and post independence
period. MoEF also claimed that the State and UT Governments had
misunderstood its directions to recognize the rights of the tribals and
failed to comply with them. It also swore that various Standing and
Consultative Committees of Parliament attached to different Ministries and
various State Governments, had requested that the rights of the tribals, who
have been living in harmony with the forests since time immemorial should be
recognized. MoEF asserted that no forests will be cut as lands occupied by
the tribals in forest areas do not have any forest vegetation, and in the
absence of legal recognition of tribal traditional rights, the adjoining
forests have become "open access" resource for the dispossessed tribals,
leading to forest degradation in a classic manifestation of the tragedy of
commons. MoEF beseeched the Court permission to recognize age old rights,
many going back more than a century and thereby fulfill commitments
enshrined in the National Forest Policy 1988, redress historical injustice
and restore natural justice. MoEF unequivocally stated that recognition of
tribal rights would significantly lead to better forest conservation.

Did MoEF deliberately swear blatant falsehoods in the Supreme Court or is it
spreading falsehoods through the press, now that the Government has decided
to ensure through a legislation what MoEF sought permission for is a
question we ask the nation. Why do they suppress the truth that no-one can
encroach on or damage the forest without MoEF's knowledge and tacit
agreement, that 60% of the forests have been reduced to wastelands when
MoEF's charge and 60% of the best forests can be found only in tribal areas.
The tribal people of the country ask for the truth.
 

Pradip Prabhu
National Convenor
Campaign for Survival & Dignity

Add: Malyan, Dahanu Road, Thane Dt. 401602.
Tel-02528-222760 / 225176 kasht@sancharnet.in
 

Delhi Contact Address: SRUTI, Q 1 Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi 110016.
Tel. 26569023/26560558