A tribe in the Western Ghats in need of a lifeline
- The story of Makuta village sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous communities in India.
- While the Phani Yerava tribe successfully secured ancestral land rights under the Forest Rights Act, their way of life is dramatically changing.
Shifting Livelihoods:
- Land rights granted: The tribe secured legal recognition of their historical claim to the forest land.
- Decreased reliance on forests: Market changes and exploitation by middlemen have reduced their dependence on forest resources for income.
- Wage labor on the rise: Many individuals now seek daily wage jobs, often migrating to neighboring states due to better pay compared to traditional practices of collecting minor forest products.
Emerging Social Issues:
- Alcohol addiction: A concerning rise in alcohol abuse within the community is impacting overall well-being and hindering children's education.
- Limited support: These crucial social issues often lack sufficient awareness and support from governing bodies.
Forest Rights Act, 2006
- The Act recognizes and vests the forest rights and occupation in Forest land in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) who have been residing in such forests for generations.
- Forest rights can also be claimed by any member or community who has for at least three generations (75 years) prior to the 13th day of December, 2005
- Primarily resided in forest land for bona fide livelihood needs.
- It strengthens the conservation regime of the forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of the FDST and OTFD.
- The Gram Sabha is the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature
- And extent of Individual Forest Rights (IFR) or Community Forest Rights (CFR) or both that may be given to FDST and OTFD.
Call to Action:
- Local leaders and activists urge the government to step up and provide targeted interventions to address these emerging social challenges. This would directly contribute to the improvement of living conditions and the well-being of these marginalized communities.