Protesters chanted slogans in support of the Bill and demonstrated in front of forest offices in the two towns. While the rally moved from Godhra Commerce College to the forest office in Godhra, it moved from Kalaghoda to the forest office in Rajpipla. More than 2,000 tribals courted arrest at each location, only to be released by afternoon. The Bill gives legal recognition to the traditional rights of forest-dwelling tribes.

This would remedy a serious historical injustice, secure their livelihoods, reduce possibilities of conflict with the Forest Departments, and provide long-term incentives to the tribal to conserve the forests.

It also proposes to secure tenurial rights of forest-dwelling schedule tribes (FDSTs) by recognizing and vesting rights of occupation of forest lands where they are scheduled.

??This was part of the national Jail Bharo Andolan being carried out by the Campaign for Survival and Dignity to press for the passing of the Forest Bill, 2005,'' informed Manish Parmar from Godhra. Similar protests have already been held at Palanpur and Ahwa on December 1, while one more is planned at Surat on December 10. But the foresters were not impressed.

??The protest was over a non-issue. We tried to reason them out of it, but to no avail,'' said Godhra DFO N S Yadav, adding that he found the tribals misguided.

??The Union Government has already taken a decision to make it a law. Most of their demands today have been made redundant due to this. That's why I say the protest was misguided, I do not know by whom,'' Yadav said.

AID Saathi Swati Desai from Rajpipla, however, said the protest was an important step in the long drawn out struggle for the just recognition of Adivasi rights that will not only provide them with an autonomous means of livelihood, but also prevent migration into cities and slums as well as ensure protection of forests.

Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005