Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options
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assertion pertaining to their rights over the resources snatched away. Dr.<br />
B.D. Sharma, Bharat Jan Andolan, categorically blamed the concerned<br />
state authority of committing a criminal offence. A Grand Assembly of<br />
Gram Sabha was scheduled on March 2-3, 2002 at Nagarnar, Bastar in<br />
Chattisgarh, for the public hearing on the issue of indigenous/tribal rights<br />
relating to land as a natural right. However, state sponsored hooligan<br />
offences suppressed the community assertion pertaining to their rights<br />
overthe resources.<br />
In a multicultural country like India, which promises 'Unity in Diversity', it is<br />
natural for every community to hope to find its 'flower' some space in the<br />
common national 'bouquet'.The indigenous community is in danger of<br />
being thrown away by way of displacement. Are the Constitutional<br />
Provisions like the Fifth Schedule and the Provisions of Panchayats Act<br />
or any International Covenants of any use/help to indigenous/tribal<br />
people to enjoy their natural rights; rights to land, rights to water, rights to<br />
forest where they live If yes, then to what extent It is argued here, that<br />
this is the core issue to be raised at a forum like the Expert Regional<br />
Meeting of the Indigenous Rights in Commonwealth Project. I hope that<br />
there will be many more discussions on this subject.<br />
Notes:<br />
1. Fifth Schedule: Constitutional within the Constitution, Legal<br />
News and Views, Vol. 15, No.2, February 2001, Pages 21-23.<br />
2. The fifth Schedule vol. 1 , Dr. B.D. Sharma.<br />
3. Constitutional Provisions relating to Village Panchayats and<br />
Municiplities in India, (Ninth Edition 2002). Easter Book<br />
Company. Lalbagh, Lucknow.<br />
4. Declaration of the National Convention to Protest against<br />
attempts to amend the Fifth Schedule ofthe Constitution, 8<br />
9 May, 2001. New Delhi.<br />
NiJagiri : Fading Glory 102