Author: admin

A community that lives off the land, an annual migration of around 200 kilometres to the middle Himalayas and an everlasting bond with buffaloes that would put a dog’s love to shame. It was enough of a draw for American photojournalist Michael Benanav to make his way to India in order to spend some time with the Van Gujjars.

The idea was to document the lifestyle of these forest-dwelling nomads, which is under constant threat of being swallowed by the developing world. For 44 days, Benanav followed the Van Gujjars on their spring migration from the jungles at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills to the lush pastures high up in the mountains. And en route, he had a fascinating insight into their life, which he has documented in the book, ‘Himalaya Bound’.

Read more

Courtesy: First Post

Twenty-two Christian bodies and tribal organisations will hold a rally in Ranchi to protest against the Religious Freedom Bill, 2017 and the amendment to Land Acquisition Act, 2013, alleging that these are attempts to divide the tribal population along religious lines while grabbing their land. The rally will be held on September 16 in Morabadi, a day after BJP president Amit Shah begins his three-day Jharkhand visit on September 15.

Organisations that will attend the rally include the All India Churches Committee, Rashtriya Isai Mahasangh, Jharkhand Christian Youth Association and Kendriya Sarna Samiti (Pahari Tola). “On the face of it, they look like laws in two different spheres but they are related,” A J Ekka, Chairman of All India Churches Committee, said.

Read more

Courtesy: The New Indian Express

Unite, stand strong and believe in your own knowledge for the conservation of natural resources which are depleting very fast, said noted anthropologist Felix Padel while delivering a key note address of the national convention of Adivasi people held at Bachat Bhavan to commemorate the 11th United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday.Mamta Kujur from Chhatisgarh presided over.

Padel said, the tactics of capitalism and internal colonialism had made live of Adivasi communities in India measurable. Adivasis knew the protection of water, forest and land as they treat these natural resources as their mother. It is now a time to show solidarity to fight against the people who are exploiting these natural resources for minting money, he appealed. The convention started with welcome song presented by Indira Markam. In his introductory speech, Dinesh Madavi stressed the need to Adivasi Samanvayay Manch on national level. Ashok Choudhary, President of Adivasi Samanvayay Manch Bharat discussed the 11th UN declaration on the rights of indigenous people.

Read more

Courtesy: The hitavada

Millions of words have been written on the woes of people forcibly displaced by dams, of whom tribal oustees (who lose access to forest produce and grazing) suffer most. The counter-criticism is that these activists are denying tribals the right to development.

Many research projects have tried to assess the impact on tribals ousted by the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat, arguably the most controversial dam ever in India. Such studies do not clearly distinguish temporary from long-run impacts, or assess what living standards might have been without the dam. Nor have researchers asked non-ousted tribals if they might actually want to be ousted and garner the benefits of modernisation.

Read more

Courtesy: The Times of India