Protecting the Tribes

The passing of the last known member of an uncontacted indigenous tribe in the Amazon rainforest, known as the 'man of the hole,' has reignited discussions among activists about the urgent need to protect indigenous peoples. Living alone for decades, his death underscores the vulnerability of indigenous communities and highlights the importance of preserving their cultures, lands, and rights.

How are Tribes Faring in India?

• Recognition as Scheduled Tribes: In India, the majority of tribes are classified as "Scheduled Tribes" under Article 342.
• Population Trend: Since independence, the tribal population in India has seen a consistent increase with each census.
• Current Proportion: Presently, the tribal population constitutes nearly 9% of India's total population.

What are the Primary Worries of the Tribal Community?

• Decreasing Population: Indigenous groups are experiencing a decline in population.

• Poverty: Most of these indigenous communities endure extreme poverty, facing malnutrition and lacking access to education and healthcare.

• Forest Degradation: Uncontrolled development in forest regions has resulted in the degradation of areas crucial for the survival of tribal communities.

• Rights Ignored: The failure to acknowledge indigenous communities' rights to forest resources is also troubling.

Importance of Indigenous Communities:

• Biodiversity Guardians: Indigenous peoples protect 80% of the world's biodiversity, utilizing a quarter of the global surface area. They possess ancestral wisdom on climate adaptation and disaster mitigation.

• Language Preservation: Representing cultural diversity, indigenous communities speak the majority of the world's 7000 languages, safeguarding linguistic heritage.

• Zero Hunger Initiative: Indigenous crops exhibit resilience to various environmental challenges like drought and flooding, aiding in the creation of robust farming systems. Staples like quinoa and moringa contribute to achieving Zero Hunger goals.

Challenges Faced by Tribal Groups in India:

• Loss of Natural Resource Control: As industrialization advanced, tribal rights were disregarded, leading to state control over natural resources. This uprooted tribes from their cultural roots and disrupted their livelihoods.

• Education Deficiency: Tribal areas suffer from inadequate educational infrastructure, hindering access to basic learning materials and sanitation facilities. Parents prioritize immediate earnings over education due to economic pressures.

• Displacement and Rehabilitation: Government acquisition of tribal land for industrial projects and infrastructure development displaces tribal communities, particularly in regions like Chotanagpur, Orissa, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, causing psychological stress and challenges in urban adaptation.

• Health and Nutrition Issues: Economic backwardness contributes to health problems among tribes, including diseases like malaria, cholera, and malnutrition-related issues such as iron deficiency and high infant mortality rates.

• Gender Concerns: Environmental degradation and economic shifts affect the status of tribal women, exposing them to exploitation and commodification. Market influences and industrialization pose challenges to traditional gender roles and identities.

• Identity Erosion: Tribal institutions clash with modern structures, raising concerns about identity preservation. The decline of tribal languages and dialects signifies a loss of cultural heritage and identity.

Safeguards for Scheduled Tribes in the Indian Constitution:

1. Definition and Recognition: Article 342(i) empowers the President to specify Scheduled Tribes through public notification, ensuring legal recognition and protection of their rights.

2. Educational & Cultural Protection:

• Article 15(4) enables special provisions for the advancement of other backward classes, including Scheduled Tribes.
• Article 29 safeguards the interests of minorities, encompassing Scheduled Tribes.
• Article 46 mandates the promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Tribes and protection from social injustice and exploitation.

3. Preservation of Language and Culture: Article 350 guarantees the right to conserve distinct languages, scripts, or cultures of Scheduled Tribes, ensuring cultural preservation and identity.

4. Political Representation:

• Article 330 reserves seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha, ensuring political representation.
• Article 332 provides reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in State Legislatures.
• Article 243 reserves seats for Scheduled Tribes in Panchayats, ensuring their participation in local governance.

5. Administrative Support: Article 275 facilitates the grant of special funds by the Union Government to State Governments for promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and enhancing their administration, addressing their specific needs and challenges.

Recent Government Initiatives for Scheduled Tribes include:

• TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India): Empowering tribal communities through the promotion of tribal handicrafts and natural products, enhancing their economic opportunities.

• Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools: Introducing digital education initiatives in tribal schools to improve access to quality education and enhance learning outcomes among tribal children.

• Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): Implementing targeted development programs to address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of PVTGs, ensuring their socio-economic upliftment and welfare.

• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana: Promoting entrepreneurship among tribal communities by establishing Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, fostering value addition, marketing, and sustainable livelihood opportunities based on forest produce.

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools: Establishing residential schools in tribal areas to provide quality education, holistic development, and skill-building opportunities for tribal students, aiming to bridge the education gap and empower tribal youth.

Conclusion:
It is imperative to recognize the tribal communities as first-class citizens and safeguard their autonomy, self-respect, and empowerment. Adequate budget allocations, preservation of heritage and culture, and economic upliftment are essential for their holistic development. Policies and programs should be tailored to meet their unique needs and be need-based to ensure their progress and well-being.