Tribal people in the district have alleged that their right to collect minor forest produce from forests was denied as forest officials auctioned the products unilaterally.
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, that was implemented from January 1, 2008, empowers food security as well as dignified livelihood for the tribes.
Committee
As per the act, 40 Tribal Village Forest Committees were formed in 2013 in Salem and Dharmapuri districts that were also approved by the respective Revenue District Officer, who is also the sub-divisional head.
The committee has a maximum of 15 members, including five women, who will be allowed to enter the forest and collect the minor forest produce and sell it to earn their livelihood.
But district president of Tamil Nadu Scheduled Tribe (Malayali) Peravai D. Lakshmanan said that the forest officials auctioned the produce last year thus denying the rights of the tribes.
He said that as per Government Order 13072/FR.10/2012, dated 31.7.2012 of the Environment and Forests, Chennai, the rights of tribal people to enter into the forest and to collect the forest produce was not denied and Tribal Village Forest Committees should be formed. “But we are not allowed to excise our right,” he added.
Last year, tribal people entered the forest area in Bodikadu in Dharmapuri district and collected tamarind from trees, which was opposed by forest officials. Later, officials assured that auction for 2015 would not be done and they can collect the produce. But the auction was carried out in December 2014.
K.A. Gunasekaran, Chairman of Tribal Peoples Council, told The Hindu that it is an injustice done to the tribal people and Revenue Divisional Officers and forest officials are committed to implement the act.
“Tribal people would enter the forest area and collect the produce and ensure our rights,” he added.
