Daily Current Affairs : 11-October-2023

In a significant move towards tribal welfare, the Baiga Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Chhattisgarh recently gained habitat rights, making them the second community in the state to receive such recognition after the Kamar PVTG. This milestone marks a crucial step in preserving the indigenous heritage and promoting sustainable development among marginalized communities.

Baiga Tribe: A Glimpse into their Habitat

The habitat rights were granted to 19 Baiga villages, encompassing a population of 6,483 individuals residing in Rajnandgaon, Kawardha, Mungeli, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi (GPM), and Bilaspur districts of Chhattisgarh, as well as adjacent districts in Madhya Pradesh.

Understanding Habitat Rights

Habitat rights, as defined under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006, grant indigenous communities like the Baiga:

  • Customary Territory: Recognition over their traditional habitation areas.
  • Socio-cultural Practices: Protection and promotion of their cultural heritage and practices.
  • Economic and Livelihood Means: Support for traditional livelihoods and sustainable economic activities.
  • Intellectual Knowledge: Recognition of their biodiversity and ecological knowledge.
  • Traditional Resource Use: Acknowledgment of their traditional knowledge regarding natural resource utilization.
The Role of Habitat Rights in Conservation and Development
  • Preservation of Traditional Livelihood: Habitat rights safeguard and promote traditional livelihoods and ecological knowledge passed down through generations.
  • Convergence of Government Initiatives: These rights help integrate various government schemes, enabling PVTG communities to develop their habitats sustainably.
Habitat Rights as a Legal Shield
  • Protection against Developmental Activities: Habitat rights empower communities to protect their habitats from harmful developmental activities. Although not akin to private ownership, these rights mandate consent and consultation with the gram sabha for any developmental activity.
  • Legal Safeguards: Habitat rights are fortified by legal protections under the Forest Conservation Act, the Land Acquisition law of 2013, and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. These rights offer an additional layer of legal protection for indigenous communities.
Habitat Rights: A Pan-Indian Perspective
  • Limited Recognition: Among the 75 PVTGs in India, only three have been granted habitat rights, namely the Bharia PVTG in Madhya Pradesh, the Kamar tribe, and now the Baiga tribe in Chhattisgarh.
  • Consultative Process: The process involves consultation with traditional tribal leaders, wherein their culture, traditions, and occupations are thoroughly understood and corroborated by the government before declaring a habitat.

Important Points:

  • Baiga PVTG Habitat Rights:
    • 19 Baiga villages with 6,483 people granted habitat rights.
    • Located in Chhattisgarh and adjacent districts of Madhya Pradesh.
  • What Habitat Rights Encompass:
    • Customary territory recognition.
    • Protection of socio-cultural practices.
    • Support for economic and livelihood means.
    • Recognition of intellectual knowledge of biodiversity.
    • Acknowledgment of traditional resource use.
  • Role of Habitat Rights:
    • Safeguard traditional livelihood and ecological knowledge.
    • Integrate government schemes for sustainable habitat development.
  • Legal Protection:
    • Protect habitats from harmful developmental activities.
    • Mandate consent and consultation with the gram sabha.
    • Legal safeguards under Forest Conservation Act, Land Acquisition law, and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
  • Pan-Indian Perspective:
    • Only three out of 75 PVTGs in India have habitat rights.
    • Consultative process involving tribal leaders in habitat declaration.
  • Significance:
    • Marks a significant step in preserving indigenous heritage.
    • Empowers marginalized communities for sustainable development.
    • Balances modern development with traditional practices.
Why In News

The Baiga Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) recently achieved a significant milestone by securing habitat rights in the state, becoming the second group to do so after the Kamar PVTG. This achievement marks a crucial step towards recognizing and preserving the cultural heritage and traditional way of life of these indigenous communities.

MCQs about Baiga Tribal Habitat Rights

  1. What is the primary purpose of habitat rights for Baiga Tribal Group?
    A. Private Ownership Rights
    B. Recognition of Traditional Practices and Resource Use
    C. Political Authority
    D. Cultural Exhibition
    Correct Answer: B. Recognition of Traditional Practices and Resource Use
    Explanation: Habitat rights provide recognition over their customary territory, protection of socio-cultural practices, support for economic means, and acknowledgment of traditional resource use.
  2. Which legal acts provide additional protection to habitat rights?
    A. Wildlife Protection Act
    B. Forest Conservation Act, Land Acquisition law, SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act
    C. Environmental Protection Act
    D. Indian Constitution
    Correct Answer: B. Forest Conservation Act, Land Acquisition law, SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act
    Explanation: Habitat rights are fortified by legal protections under these acts, offering an additional layer of protection to indigenous communities.
  3. How many Baiga villages were granted habitat rights in the recent recognition?
    A. 12
    B. 19
    C. 25
    D. 30
    Correct Answer: B. 19
    Explanation: 19 Baiga villages, comprising 6,483 people, were granted habitat rights.
  4. What is the significance of the consultative process?
    A. Formal Education Assessment
    B. Traditional Leaders’ Input in Habitat Declaration
    C. Economic Development Planning
    D. Healthcare Policy Approval
    Correct Answer: B. Traditional Leaders’ Input in Habitat Declaration
    Explanation: The consultative process involves consulting traditional tribal leaders about their culture, traditions, and occupations before declaring a habitat.

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