IN NEWS

 

Supporters of the forest rights law intimidated in Orissa

By Subrat Kumar Sahu A misinformation campaign on who will benefit from the Forest Rights Act is setting adivasis against non-adivasis in Bolangir district, Orissa, while those creating awareness about villagers’ rights under the Act are being harassed by the authorities who fear they are losing their control over natural resources In yet another unfortunate illustration of how the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, dubbed an instrument to correct the ‘historical injustices’ meted out to forest communities, is instead being used as a tool of oppression and intimidation, a dalit villager in Orissa was arrested on July 21, 2010 for raising the issue of forest rights.    An intense conflict over rights has caused a face-off between two neighbouring villages in Bolangir district. As a result, villagers in Kuiminda (with seven adivasi and three dalit families) now live in absolute fear of being thrown off their land and out of their homes. In November 2009, they were attacked by hundreds of people from the nearby Bharuamunda village (mostly inhabited by non-adivasis) and their houses destroyed. All the men fled in fear, so the women had to face the abuse and blows of the angry mob. All this happened in the presence of policemen, government officials, and members of an NGO. Since then, the men in Kuimunda go into hiding the moment they sense trouble.   We know how difficult it is for ‘non-adivasi’ forest people to prove 75 years of existence on the land before they can claim rights to it under the FRA. We also know that state agencies – especially the forest and revenue departments – don’t want to see the FRA implemented in letter and spirit because it will undermine their control …………………………………….

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http://infochangeindia.org/201008048438/Environment/Features/Supporters-of-the-forest-rights-law-intimidated-in-Orissa.html

 

India, Nepal join hands to protect wildlife

2010-08-05 14:10:00

India and Nepal have signed an agreement to jointly protect wildlife in the Himalayan region along the border, an wildlife conservation society official said. Besides jointly guarding forests, the two neighbours will coordinate the implementation of their national action plans to protect tigers, rhinos and elephants, said Samir Sinha, head of TRAFFIC India, which works for protecting tigers. The two countries agreed to strengthening the capacity of personnel involved in wildlife conservation, by intensifying the joint patrolling along the border, he said. 'With wildlife moving freely across the border and illegal wildlife trade increasingly a transnational crime, such inter-country agreements are imperative for ensuring adequate biodiversity conservation in South Asia,' said Sinha. The agreement was signed in Kathmandu last week between senior officials of India's National Tiger Conservation Authority and Nepal's Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, he said. 'The new collaboration will enable a better flow of intelligence between India and Nepal and lead to joint operations to curb the illegal wildlife trade,' he said.

http://sify.com/news/india-nepal-join-hands-to-protect-wildlife-news-national-kifokfabagc.html