The central government in India is approving construction projects in areas where the adivasi and other indigenous people live.

Development projects such as a new police station and power sub-station could spur new protests like the ones that took place last December against Utkal Alumina in response to the laying of the foundation stone for a police station in Rayagada.

The following excerpt is from an article, written by Nirmala Ganapathy, that appeared in The Indian Express on Monday, February 14th 2005.

For the first time, the Ministry of Environment and Forest has allowed construction activity in tribal areas and villages on the fringe of forests. The Ministry has issued a fresh set of guidelines allowing a variety of developmental construction activity.

In a letter dated January 3, sent to state principal secretaries (forests), the Ministry has asked them to clear construction of schools, hospitals, minor irrigation canals, rainwater harvesting structures, overhead electric and communication lines, power sub-stations, vocational training centres and even police stations and outposts in tribal villages/forest fringe villages.

The letter lists 11 construction activities. The only stipulation is that the forest land diverted for these activities should be less than one hectare and should not involve felling of more than 50 trees per hectare.

But it does not limit the number of projects, paving the way for a slew of construction activity. The forest land will be handed over to government departments and then proposals will be invited from agencies.

The government is committed to delegating more powers to the state government for developmental activity for the larger good. If necessary, in consultation with state governments and subject to judicial pendency, we will also look at amending the law, said Environment Minister A Raja.

His ministry, in fact, is miffed that it doesn’t have a larger role to play in the framing of the Scheduled Tribes and Forest Dwellers (recognition of Forest Rights) Bill to be placed in Parliament this session. The bill grants land rights to tribal communities living in forest areas. In an earlier letter sent to all chief secretaries last December, the Ministry, as an interim measure, had said that tribals and forest dwellers should be spared from eviction drives.
This note was forwarded by Nityanand J. on Toxics Link.
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