Tribals protest eviction move

TNN | Dec 14, 2011, 04.58AM IST ADILABAD: Tribals under the aegis of various Adivasi organisations took out a huge rally in Jannaram mandal headquarters in protest against the government proposal to develop Kawal wildlife sanctuary as a Tiger reserve forest by evicting adivasis dwelling there for a long time. The Tribals gathered in huge numbers in the mandal headquarters and raised slogans against the government decision to evict them from their native habitations. They threatened to intensify their agitation if the government failed to withdraw its proposal. The adivasi leaders blamed the district administration for declaring Kawal wildlife sanctuary as a second tiger reserve in the state and the 41th in the country without taking the opinion of adivasis residing in the sanctuary into consideration. They said tribals would not survive if they are evacuated from forests, as they would face a livelihood problem and lose their constitutional safeguards. Adivasis do not have pattas for the forest land they have been cultivating for a long time in the sanctuary, they said and added that if they are evacuated, they will not get compensation for their land. If the place of rehabilitation is in a non-scheduled area, Adivasis will lose their constitutional rights under Schedule V, they said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Tribals-protest-eviction-move/articleshow/11101629.cms