Role of tribes in forest conservation

SYLLABUS

GS 3 >> Environment & Ecology >> Forest Conservation

REFERENCE NEWS

• Tribal communities have long lived in harmony with nature, preserving forests and their biodiversity. Forests are vital for life on Earth, offering essential ecosystem services. However, development and industrialization have led to significant environmental degradation and forest depletion.
• To address climate change and environmental challenges, it is crucial to integrate tribal communities' traditional ecological knowledge into modern conservation efforts. By learning from their sustainable practices and involving them in decision-making, we can move towards a more sustainable future.

ROLES OF TRIBAL POPULATIONS IN FOREST CONSERVATION

• Sustainable Resource Utilization: Tribal communities have developed methods for sustainable resource extraction. For instance, the Kadar tribes of South India ensure practices like honey, firewood, resin, and herb collection allow for regeneration. The Bhotias of Central Himalayas assess leaf maturity before harvesting medicinal plants to prevent overharvesting.
• Preservation of Sacred Groves: Many tribes maintain sacred groves dedicated to folk deities. The Garasia tribes in Rajasthan's Sirohi district preserve forest patches termed sacred groves, protecting threatened plant species listed on the IUCN Red List.
• Rotational Farming and Grazing: Tribes such as the Gond, Pradhan, and Baiga of Madhya Pradesh practice Utera farming, sowing the next crop before harvesting the primary one to utilize existing soil moisture. They also employ the Badi cropping system, planting fruit trees along peripheries to prevent soil erosion.
• Sustainable Fishing Practices: Tribes use sustainable fishing techniques instead of harmful methods like dynamiting. The Wancho and Nocte tribes of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district use bamboo and stones to create obstructions in streams, trapping fish and distributing the catch within the community (Bheta method).
• Wildlife Protection through Beliefs and Totems: Tribal beliefs and totems restrict the hunting of certain animals and plants. For example, the Adi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh regard tigers, sparrows, and pangolins as well-wishers of humankind and do not hunt them.
• Community-based Conservation Efforts: Some tribes have designated parts of their forest land as "Community Conserved Areas" governed by locals. The Idu Mishmis have done this, and the Bishnoi Tiger Force in Rajasthan actively combats poaching and rescues injured animals.

KEY CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY TRIBALS IN INDIA

• Land Alienation and Displacement: Tribal communities frequently face displacement due to development projects like mining, dams, and infrastructure, leading to the loss of traditional lands and lifestyle disruptions. For example, the Dongria Kondh tribe in Odisha has been targeted for resisting bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri Hills.
• Lack of Implementation of Forest Rights Act: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, aims to recognize forest-dwelling communities' rights over land and resources. However, its implementation has been slow and ineffective, resulting in delays, harassment, and illegal evictions. In 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the eviction of over 1 million forest-dwelling families, including tribal communities.
• Threats to Traditional Livelihood Practices: Traditional livelihood practices, such as shifting cultivation, hunting, and gathering, are increasingly threatened by conservation policies and restrictions from forest departments. The Van Gujjars, a semi-nomadic pastoral community in the Himalayas, have faced restrictions on forest entry, essential for their transhumance practices.
• Loss of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Erosion: As younger tribals migrate to urban areas for better opportunities, traditional knowledge and practices risk being lost. This cultural erosion poses a significant challenge to forest and biodiversity conservation.
• Impact of Climate Change: Tribal communities, heavily dependent on natural resources, are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. For instance, the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya has experienced a decline in traditional agricultural practices due to changing rainfall patterns and temperature increases.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, 

• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, also referred to as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, recognizes the rights of the forest-dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources.
• The Act encompasses Rights of self-cultivation and habitation which are usually regarded as individual rights; and community rights as grazing, fishing and access to Water bodies in forests, habitat rights for PVTGs, etc.
• In conjunction with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Settlement Act, 2013, FRA protects the tribal population from eviction without rehabilitation and settlement.
• As per the provisions of the Act and the rules framed thereunder, various schemes and projects are implemented under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
   

WAY FORWARD

• Eco-tourism Initiatives: Promoting eco-tourism initiatives led by tribal communities can offer alternative livelihoods while preserving cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. The Angami tribe's Khonoma village in Nagaland is a successful example of community-based eco-tourism, preserving traditional practices and forests while generating income from tourism.
• Tribal Forest Guardians Program: Implementing a "Tribal Forest Guardians" program can train and employ tribal members as forest guards or eco-guides. This approach leverages their intimate knowledge of local ecosystems, promotes ownership, and provides sustainable livelihoods.
• Tribal Knowledge Banks: Documenting and integrating tribal communities' traditional ecological knowledge into modern conservation strategies can be highly beneficial. For instance, the Apatani tribe's sustainable agricultural practices, such as rice-fish cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh, can be studied and adapted elsewhere. This also helps identify and conserve rare and medicinal plant species.
• Forest Product Value Addition and Marketing: Establishing initiatives for adding value and marketing forest products collected by tribal communities can provide sustainable livelihoods and incentivize forest conservation. Setting up processing units for products like medicinal plants, honey, and handicrafts, and creating direct market linkages for these products can be beneficial. The Hakki Pikki tribe’s Adiwasi Herbal Hair Oil serves as a good model.
• Participatory Forest Management: Promoting participatory forest management models, where tribal communities are actively involved in decision-making related to forest conservation and management, is crucial. Strengthening the Joint Forest Management (JFM) program in India by ensuring greater representation and decision-making powers for tribal communities, while recognizing their traditional knowledge and practices, can enhance conservation efforts.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q: Discuss the role of tribal communities in forest conservation and the sustainable management of natural resources. Provide examples to support your answer.(15M,250W)