Based on inputs from Naresh Biswas
In order provide information about the Habitat Rights provisions of the Forest Rights Act (2006) Nirman (UD partner organisation) organised a two day training program on the 2nd and 3rd of December 2020 in the Community Hall of Karpa village. 25 Baiga leaders from 10 villages of Pusparajgarh Block participated in the training program. The participants were provided in depth information about section 3(1)(e) of FRA (2006) which is known as Habitat Rights and the training also covered processes involved in applying for Habitat Rights.
The Forest Rights Act (2006) was aimed at undoing the historical injustice done to tribals and other forest dwellers. Despite being in effect for 14 years the Baiga villagers of Anuppur District are yet to reap the benefits of this act. The Act provides for restitution of deprived forest rights across India to tribals and other forest dwellers, including both individual rights to cultivated land in forest land and community rights to forest resources. Despite this action is being taken to displace Baiga villagers from forest land that they have encroached for cultivation as well as from the forests they access to meet livelihood and other needs. An example of these actions by concerned authorities is the planting of trees, in the last few months, by the Forest Department on lands with standing crops of Baiga villagers of Dumartola and Belpani villages under Thamardar panchayat.
These actions against the Baiga villagers of Anuppur district are being taken despite the fact that as per section 3(1)(e) of FRA having provisions whereby PVTG communities like the Baiga can claim Habitat Rights over their customary forest habitat. Sadly, the Baiga people of Anuppur District have not been informed about their rights as laid out by this provision of FRA. The Chief Functionary of Nirman, Naresh Biswas who is a member of the expert committee on Habitat Rights of PVTGs constituted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India was the moderator of the training program on Habitat Rights at Karpa village and provided participants of the training program with detailed information on Habitat Rights and how they can go about claiming these rights.
The FRA among the various rights also recognizes rights including community tenures of habitat and habitation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) and pre-agricultural communities enumerated under section 3 (1)(e) of the act. The Baiga of Anuppur District are one of India’s 75 PVTGs. Habitat rights is a composite right that relate to their cultural, social, ecological and religious practices embedded in a geo-cultural landscape which constitute their habitat. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, has constituted an Expert Committee to prepare the guidelines for the implementation of Habitat Rights and Naresh Biswas is one of the members of this committee. Naresh Biswas shared that on the 23rd of September a directive was issued to the District Collectors of all district of Madhya Pradesh with resident PVTG populations to carry out implementation of Habitat rights as per section 3(1)(e) of FRA (2006). In this context on the 29th of October and 20th of November 2020 workshops on the intent, objectives and procedures of the Habitat Rights provision with were Chief Commissioner, District Collector, Assistant Commissioner Tribal Department, Assistant Commissioner Tribal Department, DFO and other concerned officials by the Chief Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department.
After the completion of the training program on the 4th of December 2020 Naresh Biswas along with Baiga leaders Sidhdu Odriya (Boda village), Hari Kisunia (Daddutola village), Kundan Thavardariya (Dumartola), Manohar Kisunia (Kaladahi village), Ridlu Bagdariya (Kaladahi village), and Bishram Kisunia (Dangisari village) met Assistant Commissioner Shri P. N. Chaturvedi. They provided him information about Baiga clusters like Thodhapani Dongar, Singangardh Dongar, Paniyagadh Dongar and Kirar Dongar and requested him to select any cluster among these and commence procedures for granting of habitat rights. Shri Chaturvedi assured them that he would visit these areas and select an appropriate area and commence procedures for granting habitat rights.
Feedback from Baiga leaders and others who participated in the Habitat Rights Training Program
Birsu Kutkuriya – I have participated in this kind of training program for the first time. I got to learn about getting patta (IFR title) for cultivated encroached forest land and also got to know that if we submit claims for Bewar land (shifting cultivation land) we can receive patta (titles) for these lands as well.
Manohar Kisuniya – This is the first time I have received information and knowledge about FRA, Individual Forest Rights, Community Forest Rights and Habitat Rights.
Durgesh Prasad (UD fellow) – I acquired detailed knowledge about the different sections and provisions of FRA (2006). I also developed an improved understanding about Bewar Kheti and conservation of traditional seeds and feel that more such training programs should be conducted.
Khudul Banta – This is the first time we have been provided with such information. We will have to share this information with fellow villagers after returning to our villages.
Harisingh Kisunia – This is the first time that I have got to visit and see Karpa village of Pushparajgarh Block. Through this training program I received information about the Forest Rights Act, medicinal plants, and wild food.
Siddhu Odariya – We are an extremely underprivileged people. We have been displaced from our forests and we have not even received pattas (land titlles). If we have our own Sangathan (organisation/network) then we will be able to carry out habitat rights related work. Like how the blooming of flowers enhances the beauty of the garden and how breathing fresh air invigorates us it is imperative for the wellbeing of the Baiga people that we claim our habitat rights.
