Parlmt. Approves Grant of Rights to Forest Dwelling STs

New Delhi, Dec 18 (UNI) Parliamentary approval was tonight accorded to a landmark measure recognising rights of forest dwelling indigenous people to forest land they have occupied traditionally.

The relevant bill -- titled The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2006 and already passed by the Lok Sabha -- was tonight adopted by the Rajya Sabha after a brief discussion during which members voiced concern at the plight of this ''most deprived section of Indian society''.

Replying to the discussion -- and earlier piloting the Bill, Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah said ''the long pending measure'' sought to redress a grievance voiced since India became independent.

The Bill seeks to recognise and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded.

The measure also seeks to provide for a framework for recording the forest rights to vested and the nature of evidence required for such recognition and vesting in respect of forest land.

Initiating the debate, Bharatiya Janata Party member Kanjibhai Patel said tribals should be rehabilitated under the purview of the International Labour Organisation. Observing that nearly 21,000 hectares of land were made available to the tribals during the NDA government, he charged the present UPA regime of ''flagrantly violating'' the economic rights of the tribals.

Congress member from Nagaland Nabam Rebia (Cong) said the Bill should be more responsibile towards preserving forest land. He also sought more rights for the forest dwellers and measure to discourage the forest mafia.

He said as many as 90 per cent of tribal refugees in the country's North-East were still awaiting grant of Indian citzenship.

He said there was no alternative for the tribals for Jhoom and shifting agriculture and they would be continuing with these traditional forms of cultivation.

Mr Mahender Mohan (SP) said the Bill sought to get the tribals into the mainstream of the society.

CPI(M) member Brinda Karat said the tribals must be allowed to collect the minor forest produce for their livelihood.

Mr Radhakant Nayak (Cong) said tribal land and rights have to be respected.

Mr Abani Roy (RSP) said the much awaited legislation had finally been brought forth.

Dr Barun Mukherjee (Forward Bloc) said the tribals must get their dues.

Mr Syed Azeez Pasha (CPI) said the government should consider the positive aspects of JPC and tribals should become masters of their own lives.

Congress member B S Gnanadesikan welcomed the measure observing that it was long due.

UNI RT/DG PK BD2121