JOIN USAddressing a press conference on Friday, S Sreekanth, convener of Girijana Kriya Koota and J P Raju, convener, Rajya Moola Nivasi Vedike said both state and central governments hesitate to implement the Forest Rights Act even though the centre has passed the bill four years ago.
The governments should implement the Act in toto. Tribals should get the ownership of forest land and the grama panchayats should be empowered. The government should protect the human rights of tribals.
Difficult times
The tribals who are dependent on the forests for their livelihood faced difficult times, the duo said.
“Tribals who were ousted from the Nagarahole forests are living a life of penury. In this way, the government’s have violated the human rights. About 5,000 families are affected.
To a petition, the Karnataka High Court constituted an inquiry committee under the leadership of Prof Assadi. The inquiry team report confirms that about 3,000 families lived in abject poverty and recommended few welfare measures, including implementation of provisions in the Forest Fights Act, they said.
Sreekanth said the forum would launch protests in the district demanding for the early implementation of Forest Rights Act.
The tribal members of the forum and office-bearers would also lead a delegation to chief minister, forest minister, the revenue minister and social welfare ministers.
The state level protests would be staged in front of chief minister’s residence in first week of August.
The forum would also hold a meeting between September 6 and 7 to discuss the constitution of tribal parliament comprising members of adivasis and setting up of adivasi cabinet, he stated.
Tribals would launch an agitation if the government failed to respond to the call, Sreekanth added.