Sidheshwar Sardar
On the 22nd of February 2021 a one day awareness program on the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and its implementation was organized in Mansa Club in Hitbasa village. 12 Sabar villagers (7 women and 6 men) from Hitbasa Sabar Tola, Chirugoda and Saharjudi attended the meeting. 19 villager (8 women and 11 men) from other Adivasi communities like the Bhumij and Santhal also attended the program.
The focus of the meeting was to get members of the PVTG community, namely the Sabar people, to participate in the Gram Sabha and getting member of all Adivasi communities to come together to claim Forest Rights as per FRA (2005). CAMPA work had been carried out in the villages which has caused considerable loss to the villagers, and this was discussed and the losses were evaluated. When it comes to claiming their rightful rights to land and forests the Sabar people tend to lose out to other communities. One of the topics of discussion was how the dominant Adivasi communities like the Santhal and Bhumij would work together to support the Sabar in their struggle for forest rights titles, both Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights(CFR).
