Adivasi Parliament for Forest Dwellers Rights

BANGALORE: Tribal forest dwellers are all set to form adivasi parliament to pressurise the State Government and the Forest Department for proper implementation of their rights. “Recently we had a conference wherein the steps for formation of the parliament were discussed. By October 10, we hope to complete all the procedures,” said Convener of  the Karnataka Tribal Joint Action Forum S Srikant. “Despite being vested with individual and certain community rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006, the tribal forest dwellers in Karnataka are still struggling to get their due,” he said.The tribal forest dwellers are facing a number of problems. “At the meeting, we have outlined 12 basic issues as our demands which are the major priority,” he said.Referring to the procedure outlined for the formation of adivasi parliament, Srikant said, “As per our discussion, the adivasi parliament will be formed at three different levels - taluk, district and State. Each Gram Sabha has to select one member for the parliament who will be meeting at the taluk level. Further  at the taluk level, two people will be selected, one for the district and one for the State level parliament.” “The adivasi parliament will consist of total 30 members at the state level. Representatives from nine districts where there are majority of tribal forest dwellers will be involved. We are planning to wind up the selection process by October 10 and by November 15, we hope to declare the adivasi parliament” he added.At present, there are about 4 lakh primitive traditional tribal forest dwellers spread across nine major districts.  State Government as well as the Centre have turned positive towards the traditional forest dwellers’ demands.