permanent settlement for displaced tribals

The discussions surrounding permanent settlement for displaced tribals in India bring into sharp focus the urgent need for a comprehensive and structured approach to address the multi-dimensional issues these communities face. The core areas of concern are land rights, livelihood security, and cultural preservation, which are essential to ensuring the well-being and long-term stability of displaced tribal populations

Overview of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India

• Population: Over 104 million (Census 2011), constituting about 8.6% of India’s total population.

• Constitutional Provisions:

  • Article 342: Defines Scheduled Tribes and empowers Parliament to add/remove tribes from the list.

  • Fifth and Sixth Schedules: Provide governance frameworks for tribal areas, especially in central and northeastern India.

  • Article 15 & 16: Ensure non-discrimination and reservations in education and employment for STs.

  • Article 46: Obliges the state to promote the educational and economic interests of STs.

Causes of Tribal Displacement

1. Development Projects:

   • Infrastructure like dams, mining, and industrialization has led to the displacement of millions of tribal people.

   • 85.39 lakh tribal people displaced until 1990 due to large projects like Narmada Valley Project and coal mining in Odisha and Jharkhand.

   • Tribals represent 55.16% of India's total displaced population.

2. Conflict and Insurgency:

   • Tribal populations in regions like Chhattisgarh have faced displacement due to Maoist insurgencies and security operations.

3. Land Title Issues:

   • Only about 45% of forest dwellers have been granted legal titles under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), leaving millions without secure tenure.

   • Conservation Efforts like Project Tiger displaced 5.5 lakh tribals and other forest dwellers.

4. Gendered Impacts:

   • Women, who play a key role in collecting minor forest produce, face significant challenges as their rights are often not legally acknowledged.

5. Environmental vs. Tribal Rights Conflicts:

   • Conservation and industrial projects often result in forced relocation without adequate compensation or proper consent from tribal communities.

6. Legal Barriers:

   • Many displaced tribals live on illegally occupied forest lands and face threats of eviction.

   • The lack of a national policy for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) makes them vulnerable to exploitation.

7. Bureaucratic Resistance:

   • Tribals often face technical rejections in land claims under FRA due to the lack of documentary evidence, despite oral traditions being legally admissible.

8. Rehabilitation Gaps:

   • Only 21 lakh of the 85 lakh displaced tribals have been successfully rehabilitated, highlighting a massive gap in resettlement.

Impact of Displacement

1. Loss of Land and Livelihood:

   • Displacement strips tribals of their primary livelihood sources, i.e., land and forest resources, leading to economic insecurity.

2. Cultural Disruption:

   • Forced relocation disrupts tribal social structures, eroding their cultural identity and traditional ways of life.

3. Social and Psychological Challenges:

   • Displaced tribals often face social isolation, lack of education and healthcare, and psychological trauma due to displacement.

Earlier Resettlement Efforts

1. Post-1949:

   • The Indian government shifted tribals from forests to roadside camps in response to Telangana communist insurgency.

2. 2005:

   • Around 50,000 Gond tribals were relocated as part of the Strategic Hamleting Programme in Chhattisgarh.

3. Mizo Rehabilitation Program (2019):

   • A successful initiative that provided permanent settlement for Bru (Reang) Tribals.

   • However, similar efforts have not been extended to other groups like the Gutti Koya tribals.

Government Initiatives & Responses

1. Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006:

   • Provides individual forest rights for habitation and cultivation, and community forest rights for sustainable resource management.

   • Mandates alternative land for tribals displaced due to forest clearance before December 13, 2005.

2. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):

   • Initiated surveys to assess tribal displacement and rehabilitation needs.

3. Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana:

   • Aimed at holistic tribal development but has faced funding constraints.

4. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN):

   • Focuses on housing, clean drinking water, education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods for 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

5. Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes:

   • Ensures fund allocation for tribal development across 42 ministries.

6. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS):

   • Provides quality education to tribal children with 401 schools and 1.2 lakh students enrolled.

Call for Permanent Settlement for Displaced Tribals

1. Legal Recognition of Land Rights:

   • Providing land ownership to displaced tribals is essential for their stability and security.

   • The Forest Rights Act (FRA) needs stronger enforcement to protect tribal land rights.

2. Livelihood Support:

   • Incorporating skill development programs and employment opportunities within resettlement plans is crucial for economic recovery.

   • Access to education and healthcare must be prioritized to ensure holistic development.

3. Cultural Preservation:

   • Resettlement policies should be designed in a way that enables tribal communities to retain their cultural heritage, social structures, and traditional practices.

Conclusion

The need for permanent settlement of displaced tribals is more urgent than ever. This process must be structured, taking into account the legal recognition of land rights, livelihood security, and cultural preservation. A comprehensive policy, backed by adequate funding and bureaucratic support, is key to enabling tribals to rebuild their lives with dignity and stability. The government's initiatives like the FRA, PM-JANMAN, and Eklavya Schools can serve as strong foundations, but more needs to be done to close the gaps in rehabilitation and resettlement processes