Forest Act 1980, an irritant to STs: Bhuria

ITANAGAR, Dec 30 — Scheduled Tribe Commission chairman Dileep Singh Bhuria today said that no constitutional body should ever try to snatch away the basic rights of the tribals, which they have been enjoying since the time immemorial, over ‘jaal’ (water), jungle (forest) and ‘zamin’ (land), and described the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, as an irritant to them, reports PTI. Addressing a press conference here, Bhuria, who is on a five-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh to assess the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes, expressed his concern over large-scale eviction of the tribals in various parts of the country. ‘The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 has created certain problems,’ the ST Commission chairman said while urging the administrations concerned not to deprive the tribals of their traditional rights and ensure the rehabilitation of those uprooted from their habitat. While emphasising on the development of horticulture and fruit processing industries in the tribal areas, he said priority should be accorded in providing and improving the infrastructural facilities namely roads and electricity there. Bhuria, who arrived here on December 28, has held discussions on overall economic development strategy for the tribals with particular emphasis on protection of their interests with Chief Minister Mukut Mithi, Chief Secretary and officers of various departments of the Arunachal Pradesh Government.