Baiga tribal group gets habitat rights in Chhattisgarh

Subject: Geography

Section: Human geography

Context:

The Baiga Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) became the second pvtg to get habitat rights in Chhattisgarh, after the Kamar PVTG.

About Baiga

The Baiga are an ethnic group in central India. They are one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
The Baiga live in the following states:Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal.
They have sub-castes – Bijhwar, Narotia, Bharotiya, Nahar, Rai Bhaina, and Kadh Bhaina.
Traditionally, the Baiga lived a semi-nomadic life and practised slash-and-burn cultivation.
Now, they are mainly dependent on minor forest produce for their livelihood.
They practice a form of shifting cultivation called, “Bewar.”

What is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)?

PVTGs are most vulnerable among the tribal groups.Due to this factor, more developed and assertive tribal groups take a major chunk of the tribal development funds, because of which PVTGs need more funds directed for their development.
In this context, in 1975, the Government of India declared 52 tribal groups as PVTGs on the recommendation of Dhebar commission.
Currently, there are 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.
The PVTGs are spread over 18 states and one UT, in the country (2011 census).
Odisha has the highest number (more than 2.5 lakh) of PVTGs.

Characteristics of PVTGs:

Government Scheme(s) for PVTGs:

Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements a scheme in the name of ‘Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)’.
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme having a provision of 100% Central assistance to 18 states and Union territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The scheme of Development of PVTGs aims at socio-economic development of PVTGs in a comprehensive manner, while retaining their culture and heritage.
As a part of the scheme, State Governments undertakes projects that are tailored to cater to sectors like education, health and livelihood schemes for the PVTGs.

About habitat rights?

Recognizing habitat rights means giving a community the authority over where they live traditionally, their customs, how they make a living, their knowledge about nature, and how they use natural resources.
It also involves safeguarding their environment and cultural heritage.
Habitat rights safeguard and promote traditional livelihood and ecological knowledge passed down through generations.

Habitat rights include

Legal backing of habitat rights

Habitat rights are given to PVTGs under section 3(1) (e) of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 also known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
States which have recognised habitat rights: Out of 75 PVTG in India, only three have habitat rights.
The Bharia PVTG in Madhya Pradesh was the first, followed by the Kamar tribe and now the Baiga tribe in Chhattisgarh.

How does the government fix a habitat?

The procedure is based on a detailed guideline given for this purpose in 2014 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Based on the MoTA guidelines, the traditional tribal leaders of the tribe are consulted about the extent of their culture, traditions, occupation.
It is corroborated by the government and then a habitat is declared.

Can habitat rights be used to stop activities like mining?

The habitat rights will help the PVTG protect their habitat from developmental activities harmful to them.
The title may not be an ownership title in the nature of a private property owner, but consent and consultation of the gram sabha will be needed for any developmental activity.