India: Forest Rights National Demo - 29th November
November 22, 2006
CAMPAIGN FOR SURVIVAL AND DIGNITY
National Convenor: Pradip Prabhu, 3, Yezdeh Behram, Kati, Malyan,
Dahanu Rd. 401602.
Delhi Contact: SRUTI, Q-1 Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi 110 016. Ph:
9968293978, 26569023.
PRESS RELEASE
TRIBALS AND FOREST DWELLERS BEGIN
FOREST RIGHTS DHARNA TOMORROW
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS PLANNED FOR 29TH
Tomorrow, on the first day of the Parliament session, tribals and forest dwellers from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Nagar Haveli, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Karnataka will begin a dharna to demand the immediate passage of a just and effective legislation for the recognition of the rights of forest dwelling communities.
For too long, this government has sat on the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005, and the report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee that not only endorsed the Bill but recommended a number of significant changes that would democratise the Bill. The government is instead intent on retaining a Bill that would have clauses that would result in massive corruption, abuse of power and forest destruction, all while claiming that the government is concerned about the environment.
Even as it resists this Bill in the name of the environment, the government passes policies like the new Environmental Impact Assessment notification, policies for privatisation of forests and the Special Economic Zones Act – all of which will result in massive forest and environmental destruction.
The government has shown that it cares neither for the environment nor for forest dwellers’ rights – only for the power of money and multinational corporations.
The dharna will demand the immediate passage of this legislation with the required amendments. We also demand the repeal of these and other policies that will result in massive environmental damage and the loss of our homelands.
On November 29th, in support of these same demands, mass demonstrations will be held in Delhi, Mumbai, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar, Bangalore and Chennai. More than 80,000 people are expected to participate.
On behalf of the Convening Collective
Bharat Jan Andolan, National Front for Tribal Self Rule, Jangal
Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti (Mah), Adivasi Mahasabha (Guj), Adivasi
Jangal Janjeevan Andolan (D&NH), Jangal Jameen Jan Andolan (Raj),
National Forum of Forest Peoples and Forest Workers, Madhya Pradesh
Van Adhikar Abhiyan (MP), Jan Shakti Sanghatan (Chat), Peoples
Alliance for Livelihood Rights, Chattisgarh Mukti Morcha, Orissa Jan
Sangharsh Morcha, Campaign for Survival & Dignity (Ori), Orissa
Adivasi Manch, Orissa Jan Adhikar Morcha, Adivasi Aikya Vedike (AP),
Budakattu Krishikara Sangha (Kar), Campaign for Survival and Dignity –
TN, Bharat Jan Andolan (Jhar).
posted by c-info @ 3:40 AM,
