Adivasis March 38km to Raj Bhavan for Forest Rights

Hundreds of adivasis from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Yeoor began a 38-kilometer march towards Raj Bhavan on Thursday, seeking implementation of forest rights, protection against displacement, and basic amenities in tribal settlements.

The march, organized by the Adivasi Ekta Parishad, started from the SGNP gate and proceeded along the Western Express Highway, with protesters breaching police barricades at several points. The march reached Malad by evening and is expected to halt at Goregaon Check Naka overnight before resuming towards Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on Friday.

The protesters are demanding the strict implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, including the grant of individual and community forest rights titles. They are also seeking stringent implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996, which requires prior consent from the concerned Gram Sabha for any development or infrastructure project.

Another major demand is an immediate halt to forced evictions and land acquisition for infrastructure projects and private corporate corridors. The protesters have also demanded uninterrupted access to clean drinking water, electricity, all-weather roads, schools, and healthcare facilities in Adivasi padas.

The tribals and environment activists have opposed the master plan for development of SGNP's Eco-sensitive zones (ESZ), alleging it will open the green zone for infrastructure works and permanently damage Mumbai's green lungs. They claim that thousands of objections were submitted, but the BMC failed to conduct fair public hearings before making the final plan.

The marchers have further opposed the proposed privatization of 490 tribal Ashram Schools, demanding that the decision be withdrawn and that tribal children receive quality education and nutritious meals. The protesters are expected to reach Raj Bhavan on September 13, where they will submit their demands to the state governor.

The march highlights the long-standing issues faced by the adivasi community in Mumbai, including lack of access to basic amenities and displacement due to infrastructure projects. The protesters are seeking a comprehensive solution to these issues and are demanding that the government take immediate action to address their concerns.

The Forest Rights Act, 2006, was enacted to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land to forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. However, the implementation of the act has been slow, and many adivasi communities continue to face displacement and marginalization.

The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, extends the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution relating to Panchayats to the Scheduled Areas. The act requires that all development and infrastructure projects in Scheduled Areas be undertaken with the prior consent of the concerned Gram Sabha.

The opposition to the ESZ master plan is significant, as it highlights the concerns of the adivasi community and environment activists about the potential damage to Mumbai's green lungs. The ESZ is a critical component of Mumbai's ecosystem, and any development plan must be carefully considered to ensure that it does not harm the environment.

In conclusion, the march by the adivasis from SGNP and Yeoor to Raj Bhavan highlights the urgent need for the government to address the concerns of the adivasi community and to take immediate action to implement the Forest Rights Act and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act. The government must also ensure that any development plan for the ESZ is carefully considered and does not harm the environment.

The march is expected to conclude on September 13, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demands of the protesters. However, one thing is clear: the adivasi community will continue to fight for their rights and for the protection of their land and environment.

The issue of forest rights and the protection of the ESZ is not just a local issue but has significant implications for the entire city of Mumbai. The ESZ is a critical component of Mumbai's ecosystem, and any damage to it could have far-reaching consequences for the city's environment and its inhabitants.

The government must take a comprehensive approach to address the concerns of the adivasi community and to ensure that the Forest Rights Act and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act are implemented in a fair and transparent manner. This includes providing access to basic amenities, protecting the ESZ, and ensuring that any development plan is carefully considered and does not harm the environment.

In the end, the march by the adivasis from SGNP and Yeoor to Raj Bhavan is a reminder that the struggle for forest rights and the protection of the environment is ongoing and that the government must take immediate action to address the concerns of the adivasi community and to protect Mumbai's green lungs.

The adivasi community has been fighting for their rights for decades, and it is time for the government to take concrete steps to address their concerns. The march is a call to action, and it is up to the government to respond to the demands of the protesters and to ensure that the Forest Rights Act and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act are implemented in a fair and transparent manner.

The future of Mumbai's green lungs and the well-being of the adivasi community depend on it.