'Govt should intervene to protect tribals'

The government should intervene to protect tribals living in the forest, said Adivasi Rakshana Parishat president P Rajesh.

The Supreme Court’s order on the eviction of lakhs of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers whose claims have been rejected under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, will affect the tribal community, he added.

In a press release, he said, “The forest dwellers have been living inside the forest for generations by taking up farming and engaging in collecting forest produce for livelihood. The Supreme Court in its order has directed state governments to evict 11 lakh tribal families whose claims on forest under Forest Rights Act have been rejected by July 27. With this, lakhs of tribal families are facing the threat of eviction.”

He accused the government of failing to impress upon the Supreme Court about the lives of tribals, their status and pros and cons of the eviction.