FRA implementation: Mankidia community becomes 6th PVTG to get habitat rights over forests in Odisha

FRA implementation: Mankidia community becomes 6th PVTG to get habitat rights over forests in Odisha

Sub: ENV

Sec: Env Legislation

Context:

• On September 22, 2024, the Mankidia community was officially granted habitat rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
• The Forest Rights Act protects the rights of tribal and forest-dependent communities over forest lands.
• Before granting the habitat rights, the Mankidia tribe, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), faced restrictions in accessing the forest land.

Significance of Habitat Rights:

• With these rights, the Mankidia can now freely practice their traditional and cultural activities without legal hurdles.
• These rights ensure protection of their customary forest areas.

• As per the FRA, the habitat covers traditional living areas, including reserved and protected forests used by PVTGs and other Scheduled Tribes.
• Implementation of FRA in Odisha:
  • Odisha has been a leader in granting habitat rights to tribal groups.
  • Earlier the Paudi Bhuyan tribe (a PVTG) in Deogarh district received habitat rights (in March 2024).
  • Other communities that have received approvals include:
    • Juang (Keonjhar and Jajpur districts)
    • Saora (Gajapati district)
    • ChuktiaBhunjia (Nuapada)
    • Hill Khadia (Mayurbhanj)
  • Odisha now leads the country in granting habitat rights to six PVTGs.
• Comparison with Other States:
  • Chhattisgarh has provided habitat rights to two PVTGs (Kamar and Baiga).
  • Madhya Pradesh (Baiga) and Maharashtra (Maria Gond) have granted these rights to one community each.
  • Odisha is home to 13 PVTGs, the highest among Indian states and Union Territories, inhabiting 1,683 villages in 14 districts, with a population of over 770,000.
• Importance of FRA:
  • The FRA is a landmark law that provides several rights to forest-dependent communities, including the right to manage and protect community forest resources.
  • The most crucial aspect is the right to community tenure for PVTGs and pre-agricultural communities.

The Mankidia Community:

• The Mankidia, part of the Birhor tribe, are a semi-nomadic, forest-dependent group.
• Known for their skills in rope-making and hunting, they are often employed by villagers to capture monkeys that damage crops.
• The community lives in temporary settlements called “Kumbhas,” and their language belongs to the Munda family, though many also speak Odia.

About Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):

• PVTGs are a subset of Scheduled Tribes in India that are more vulnerable due to their primitive technology, low literacy levels, declining or stagnant population, and isolated habitation. These groups face severe challenges in accessing mainstream development programs and continue to rely on traditional livelihoods.

Classification and Identification:

• The Government of India identified PVTGs in 1975, with the primary goal of focusing on their welfare and development. Initially, 52 tribes were identified, and later the number was increased to 75 tribes spread across 18 states and 1 Union Territory (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).

Criteria for Identifying PVTGs:

1. Pre-agricultural level of technology
2. Low population growth
3. Low literacy rates
4. Economic backwardness

PVTGs in India:

Some well-known PVTGs across different states include:

• Andhra Pradesh: Chenchu, Kolam, Khond PVTGs
• Odisha: Mankidia, Juang, Paudi Bhuyan, Dongria Kondh, ChuktiaBhunjia, Hill Khadia
• Jharkhand: Birhor, Asur, Mal Paharia
• Madhya Pradesh: Baiga, Saharia
• Chhattisgarh: Kamar, Baiga
• Maharashtra: Maria Gond, Katkari
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarwa, Sentinelese

Source: DTE