PM, Tribal Ministry, State Governments: Respect the Law and Forest Dwellers'
Rights

Protest at 1 pm, Parliament Street on Nov 4th, by Adivasis from Chhattisgarh,
Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat

The Central government claims that it cares about the rights of adivasis and
forest dwellers and it wishes to provide them "development." In that case, why
is it breaking the law and promoting initiatives that will deprive people of
their rights?

On November 4th, the Prime Minister will address a meeting of State Chief
Ministers to "review" the implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006. The
Centre claims it wants to complete implementation of this law by December 31st,
2009, but in reality it is:

* Both ignoring and actively supporting the Forest Department and State
governments in breaking the law. This will result in people not having their
rights to land, forests, water etc. properly recognised.
* Ignoring the most important right in the Forest Rights Act - the right and
power of communities to protect and control their forests.
* Pouring money into plantation projects that will result in people losing
more individual and common lands as well as cause environmental damage.
* Sending in troops and police while doing nothing to protect people's legal
rights; across the country, even in areas that have never seen Maoists, the
police are used against peaceful struggles and in the defence of corporate
interests.

Are these the actions of a government that is behaving in good faith?

To protest this, forest dwellers from four States have gathered at Jantar Mantar
for a dharna today (Nov 3rd) and will stage a protest at Parliament street
tomorrow.

Our Demands

* Implement all provisions of the Forest Rights Act and the respect
powers of the gram sabha under it
* Recognise the right and power of the people to protect their forest
resources under the Forest Rights Act; terminate the sham scheme of "Joint
Forest Management"
* All projects in forest areas – development, industrial, forestry,
etc. - must be undertaken with the consent of and as per plans prepared by the
community
* Halt repression and respect democracy, peace and justice