India's Forest Dwellers Gain Land Rights

The Parliament in India has passed bill granting more than 27 million forest dwellers legal rights to their ancestral lands. Before the bill's passage, the forest dwellers were defenseless as logging and mining interests moved in.

1 minute read

December 21, 2006, 12:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg

"More than 40m people live in India's forests, foraging for honey and fruit. India's forest dwellers are among the poorest and most marginalised people in the country."

"Without the rights to the land of their forefathers, many have been ordered to make way for logging and mining companies."

"They will be allowed to farm on small plots of land and be given the right to collect forest produce like honey, wax, medicinal plants and herbs. But they will not be allowed to hunt wild animals."

The bill awaits approval by the president.

FULL STORY: India's forest people in land win

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 in BBC

History / Preservation Social / Demographics India

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