Tribal Community

Right of tribal People over Natural Resources: A International and national Perspective

Introduction

Tribal community in India has been most vulnerable community in the in equal, domination and exploitation ridden society. They are on the breadline of their socio-economic and political rights. Even after centuries, the unchanged condition of Tribal communities is leading in India. The violation of fundamental human rights and the state brutality has been perpetrated on them, particularly on tribal women. Tribal communities have faced isolation and social discrimination like that of Dalits from the mainstream society. Understanding of current Tribal societies need a basic respect to the historical processes, which have determined the course

Forests provide sustenance in the form of minor forest produce, water, grazing grounds and habitat for shifting cultivation. Moreover, vast areas of land that may or may not be forests are classified as "forest" under India 's forest laws, and those cultivating these lands are technically cultivating "forest land"

Since times immemorial, the tribal communities of India have had an integral and close knit relationship with the forests and have been dependent on the forests for livelihoods and existence . The relationship was mutually beneficial and not one sided. However, rights were rarely recognized by the authorities and in the absence of real ownership of the land, the already marginalized local dwellers suffered

The reason for this latter phenomenon is India 's forest laws. India 's forests are governed by two main laws, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The former empowers the government to declare any area to be a reserved forest, protected forest or village forest. The latter allows any area to be constituted as a "protected area", namely a national park, wildlife sanctuary, tiger reserve or community conservation

The UN has also placed particular emphasis on its machinery on the rights of indigenous peoples. The last decade has seen the establishment of several bodies on indigenous issues, including the Expert Mechanism, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. In 2007, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples replaced the Working Group as the body responsible for providing thematic assistance on indigenous issues to the Human Rights Council; this group’s contribution may prove important in the