Change of tribal settlements has its impact on health

August 9 is commemorated as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. The day is observed to promote and protect the rights of the world's indigenous inhabitants and recognises their achievements and contributions to improve world issues such as environmental protection. This year's theme “Ensuring indigenous peoples' health and wellbeing" puts spotlight on the issue of their access to healthcare services as improving indigenous peoples’ health remains a critical challenge. . 

There are an estimated 370 million indigenous peoples living in more than 70 countries worldwide. In India, about 50% of the tribal population of the country is concentrated in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha. Odisha has been the homeland of 62 tribes. All the districts of Odisha have a tribal population in it. The State’s major tribes are Kondhas, Koyas, Gadabas, Juangs and Santals. They live in houses made of mud walls and thatched roofs. Many houses are old, in poor condition and may pose risks to the occupants. The indigenous people most depend on forest resources for their livelihoods. Those who live independent lives on their own lands, eating traditional foods, continue to be healthy and strong. Dislocation from their land is almost always coupled with rising illness. In general, the most devastating situations seem to have been associated with land scarcity.

No society can flourish without culture and no development can be sustainable without it. Indigenous peoples know this better than most, as custodians to rich linguistic and cultural diversity. The lifestyle and tradition of each indigenous community is unique. The land occupied by them for dwelling is limited, thus posing no harm to landforms. Besides forest resources, they used to do some cultivation in forest land. Industrialisation and rising population became major threats for these communities. This compelled them to look for alternatives. Therefore they have engaged themselves in various non-agriculture sectors.

A majority of the traditional villages have undergone changes due to the changing needs of the society. Around the world, indigenous people have their land taken from them for economic development projects. Displacement in tribal areas pave the way for distress migration and change of ancestral land and extinct of culture. There is no scope of revival in the new settlements and thousands of families are migrating to slums and roadside squatter settlements. The shift towards higher density living among mixed communities, often with domestic animals and usually in conditions of improper sanitation leads to diseases and epidemics.

The tribals of Odisha have been preserving a rich heritage of information on medicinal plants and their usage. Such traditional knowledge system is important for modern societies and should be protected for the sake of sustainable use of forests, ecosystem services. They should be allowed to exercise their land-rights ownerships. The state has to prevent occurrence of human rights violations so as to uphold the rights over their ancestral lands and natural resources and preserve their cultural identity.

To improve the living standard of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), the Odisha Government plans to provide better housing and livelihood programmes. The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 intends to empower the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat in tribal societies to preserve their customs and values and ensure their rights over natural resources.

The tribal communities consider three factors for selection of a particular site for habitation, such as perennial source of water; the place must be auspicious and should be free from evil effects. Tribals are still following the indigenous vernacular style for their settlements and housing. The eco-friendly structures are easily built with the indigenous people without the help of any technical personnel. The buildings like Indira Awash Yojana and Anganbadi are some new developments in tribal settlements. These houses are completely different in terms of material, design and construction from the traditional building type. The course of development has impact on traditional buildings and the natural harmony with the surroundings. These practices can be effectively adopted and integrated into the present building design keeping in view their social need and function.

With improved information on indigenous peoples' health, action can be taken to ensure access to culturally appropriate health care as well as to safe and potable water, adequate housing and health-related education. International, national and local action is urgently needed to enable indigenous peoples to reconnect with their lands, rebuild their shattered lives and gain control over their futures.

(Dr Praharaj teaches in the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)