The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Centre calling for a report within four weeks over deprivation and denial of right to livelihood of tribals and natives of forest recently.
Acting on a petition filed by rights campaigner and city-based Global Human Rights Communications executive director Subash Mohapatra, the apex human rights watchdog called report from Secretaries of Union Tribal Affairs and Environment, Forests and Climate Justice Ministries.
Mohapatra alleged, “Setting a precedent for the entire country, the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has revised its views to re-interpret the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and allow the Maharashtra Forest Department to get control back over forest management and a grip on the lucrative trade worth crores in forest produce such as tendu leaves and bamboo. The Ministry had previously concluded that only tribals and other forest dwellers had rights to manage their forests under FRA”.
“The present move by the Union Government, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in particular is contrary to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which was adopted by the General Assembly on September 13, 2007 and India was a party and had voted for its favor. As the UNDRIP sets an important standard for the treatment of indigenous peoples that will undoubtedly be a significant tool towards eliminating human rights violations against the planet’s 370 million indigenous people and assisting them in combating discrimination and marginalisation and India cannot ignore its obligation to it.’ Mohapatra contended.