3rd Odisha River Conference: SC needs to review eviction order of tribals, opine experts

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Bhubaneswar: Experts who work with the tribals on their livelihood projects opine that the Supreme Court should review their order of eviction of tribals whose claims have been rejected by the government and claimed that tribals are integral parts of the forest ecosystem and
conservation.
In the recent third Odisha River Conference, environmentalist Ardhenu Chatterjee Development Research Communication and Services Centre, Kolkata batted for tribal rights in Odisha. He said, “We should get rid of the idea that jungle is for animals only and driving the forest dwellers away can keep the animals and forests safe. On the other hand forests, animals, forested communities and water resources and interlinked. One cannot exist without the other,”
He also added, “We should urge upon the Supreme Court (SC) of India to withdraw its recent order that is about to evict more than 1 million tribal and forested communities from their forests.”
Other experts also opined that indigenous communities are known for ages for protecting the natural resources. Expert on climate change and water issues Ranjan Panda said, “India’s indigenous communities have proven that they are the best protectors of natural forests, thus the rivers, rivulets and streams and it is now time for us to take initiatives to transfer that knowledge to the new generation and develop their interest in conservation of forests, rivers and related ecosystems.”
Executive Director of Vasundhara (NGO), Manas Ranjan Mishra said young people need to be more vocal and understand real issues related to conservation of natural resources. He called upon the youth to raise their voices by spreading their network, extending their reach and social media is the best platform to extend outreach. “In several areas, those who are protecting forests are in their 70s. It is high time a leadership transition to youth happened with proper guidance and knowledge transfer,” he said.
“Forests are not just carbon sinks. They are the source of lives and livelihood of millions of local and indigenous communities. They recharge rivers and play a vital role in ensuring water security for all in a sustainable manner, said Satish Sharma, a veteran ecologist from the Foundation of Ecological Security, Udaipur.