“Saving Forests Without Justice Is Hollow”: Adv Rakesh Kumar Singh Calls for Adivasi Rights in Mumbai

Environmental protection cannot come at the cost of those who have safeguarded nature for generations, says Advocate Rakesh Kumar Singh of RKS Associates. In a strong statement on forest rights, Rakesh Kumar Singh argued that displacing Adivasi communities in the name of conservation reflects a "selective conscience" rather than true environmentalism.

According to Rakesh Kumar Singh, Adivasis in Mumbai are not encroachers but long-standing custodians of ecological balance. He emphasized that these communities have lived sustainably with forests long before modern policies and frameworks were introduced. Ignoring their rights under the Forest Rights Act, he said, reduces environmental efforts to superficial actions that prioritize appearance over justice.

"Protecting forests while excluding the people who have protected them is not real conservation," Rakesh Kumar Singh stated, stressing that environmentalism must be rooted in dignity, recognition, and lawful empowerment of indigenous communities.

A Call for Policy Reform

Highlighting the gaps in implementation, Rakesh Kumar Singh urged policymakers to take concrete steps if they are serious about both conservation and social justice. He called for ward-level Forest Rights Cells with Adivasi participation to ensure accountability and faster recognition of claims.

He also proposed formally recognizing Adivasis as "Urban Forest Stewards," linking conservation responsibilities with secure land tenure and sustainable livelihoods. Integrating Forest Rights Act provisions into Mumbai's development planning, he noted, is essential to prevent displacement from eco-sensitive zones.

Recognising Traditional Knowledge

Rakesh Kumar Singh further stressed the need to accept oral histories and community knowledge alongside digital mapping as valid evidence in land claims. He also advocated promoting Adivasi-led eco-economies, including forest produce, eco-tourism, and ecosystem services, to strengthen both livelihoods and conservation outcomes.

Justice at the Core of Conservation

At the heart of his message, Rakesh Kumar Singh underscored that environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. He called for a shift in public perception-urging society to recognize Adivasis as original environmental stewards rather than obstacles to development.

Until their voices are heard and their rights secured, he warned, any claim of environmentalism will remain incomplete.