The editorial “Protectors of the Forest: Tribal Guardians” discusses the crucial role indigenous tribes play in conserving forests and maintaining ecological balance. These tribes have deep-rooted knowledge and a profound connection with their natural surroundings, which they have protected for generations. Their sustainable practices and traditional wisdom contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. However, these communities often face challenges such as displacement and loss of rights due to development projects and deforestation. Recognizing and empowering tribal guardians is essential for ensuring the preservation of forests and the myriad benefits they provide to humanity and the planet.
Tag: GS Paper – 2Issues Related to SCs & STsGovernment Policies & Interventions
In News: The article underscores the Indian President’s call for Indian Forest Service officers to merge traditional tribal knowledge with modern conservation methods, recognizing its significance in forest preservation and climate change mitigation.
Roles of Tribal Population in Forest Conservation
- Sustainable Resource Utilization
- Tribal communities have developed sustainable methods of resource extraction from forests.
- For instance, every resource collection practice done by Kadars tribes of South India, whether honey, firewood, resin, or herbs, is designed to allow for regeneration.
- Similarly, the Bhotias of Central Himalayas inspect the maturity of leaves before harvesting medicinal plants to prevent overharvesting.
- Preservation of Sacred Groves
- Many tribes consider certain forest areas as sacred groves dedicated to folk deities.
- For example, the Garasia tribes in Sirohi district, Rajasthan have preserved patches of forests termed sacred groves, protecting threatened plant species listed in the IUCN Red List.
- Rotational Farming and Grazing
- Tribes like the Gond, Pradhan, and Baiga of Madhya Pradesh practice Utera farming, where the next crop is sown before harvesting the primary one, utilizing existing soil moisture.
- They also follow the Badi cropping system, planting fruit trees along the periphery to prevent soil erosion.
- Sustainable Fishing Practices
- Unlike harmful methods like dynamiting, tribes employ sustainable fishing techniques.
- For instance, the Wancho and Nocte tribes of Tirap district, Arunachal Pradesh create obstructions in streams using bamboo and stones to trap fish, distributing the catch among the community (Bheta method).
- Wildlife Protection through Beliefs and Totems
- Tribal beliefs and totems restrict the culling of certain animals and plants.
- For example, for the Adi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, tigers, sparrows, and pangolins are well-wishers of humankind and are not hunted.
- Community-based Conservation Efforts
- Some tribes have declared parts of their forest land as “Community Conserved Areas” governed by locals.
- For instance, the Idu Mishmis have taken this step, while the Bishnoi Tiger Force, an environmental campaign group, actively fights against poaching and rescues injured animals in Rajasthan.
Key Challenges Encountered by Tribals in India
- Land Alienation and Displacement
- Tribal communities have faced widespread displacement due to various development projects, such as mining, dams, and infrastructure projects, leading to the loss of their traditional lands and disruption of their way of life.
- Lack of Implementation of Forest Rights Act
- The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, aimed to recognize the rights of forest-dwelling communities over land and resources.
- However, its implementation has been slow and ineffective, with many tribes facing delays, harassment, and illegal evictions.
- Threats to Traditional Livelihood Practices
- Traditional livelihood practices of tribal communities, such as shifting cultivation, hunting, and gathering, are increasingly under threat due to conservation policies and restrictions imposed by forest departments.
- Loss of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Erosion
- With the younger generation of tribals migrating to urban areas in search of better opportunities, there is a risk of losing the traditional knowledge and practices passed down through generations.
- Impact of Climate Change
- Tribal communities, heavily dependent on natural resources, are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
- For instance, the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya has witnessed a decline in their traditional agricultural practices due to changing rainfall patterns and temperature increases.
Measures to Integrate Tribal Empowerment with Forest Conservation
- Eco-tourism Initiatives
- Promoting eco-tourism initiatives led by tribal communities can provide them with alternative livelihood opportunities while preserving their cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.
- Tribal Forest Guardians Program
- Implementing a “Tribal Forest Guardians” program, where members of tribal communities are trained and employed as forest guards or eco-guides.
- Tribal Knowledge Banks
- Documenting and integrating traditional ecological knowledge of tribal communities into modern conservation strategies.
- Forest Product Value Addition and Marketing
- Establishing value-addition and marketing initiatives for forest products collected by tribal communities.
- Participatory Forest Management
- Promoting participatory forest management models, where tribal communities are actively involved in decision-making processes related to forest conservation and management.
| UPSC Previous Year Questions Prelims (2019) Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: 1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory. 2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. 3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4 Ans: (c) Prelims (2013) Q.2 Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both? (a) State Forest Department (b) District Collector/Deputy Commissioner (c) Tahsildar/Block Development Officer/Mandal Revenue Officer (d) Gram Sabha Ans: (d) |
Source: IE
FAQs
What is “Protectors of the Forest: Tribal Guardians” about?
Answer: “Protectors of the Forest: Tribal Guardians” refers to the important role that indigenous tribes play in preserving forests. These tribes have lived in and cared for forests for generations, using their traditional knowledge to maintain the ecosystem. This concept is often discussed in the context of environmental conservation and sustainable development.
2. Why is the role of tribal guardians in forest protection important?
Answer: Tribal guardians are crucial because they possess deep, traditional knowledge about the forests, which helps in preserving biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and maintaining ecological balance. Their sustainable practices ensure that the forest resources are not overexploited and are available for future generations.
3. How do tribal practices contribute to forest conservation?
Answer: Tribal practices include sustainable farming, hunting, and gathering, which do not harm the forest. They often use methods like shifting cultivation, controlled burning, and herbal medicine, which help in maintaining soil fertility, controlling forest fires, and preserving plant species. These methods are nature-friendly and help keep the forest healthy.
4. What challenges do tribal guardians face in protecting forests?
Answer: Tribal guardians face several challenges such as deforestation due to commercial logging, mining, and agricultural expansion. They also struggle with legal issues, as they may lack formal rights to their land. Additionally, modernization and government policies sometimes ignore or undermine their traditional practices, making it harder for them to protect the forests.
5. How can the government and society support tribal guardians in their role?
Answer: The government and society can support tribal guardians by recognizing and respecting their land rights, providing legal protection to their territories, and including them in decision-making processes related to forest management. Educational and healthcare support can also help improve their living conditions, ensuring that they can continue their role as protectors of the forest effectively.
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