After a long wait of 17 years, the Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched the Abua Beer Abua Dishom (Our Forest Our Homeland) campaign on November 6, 2023, to provide forest lease to the tribal communities of the state.
This ambitious campaign aims to empower the tribals by giving them legal rights over the forest land they have been living on and cultivating for generations. It is a significant step towards fulfilling the aspirations of the tribals and ensuring their dignity and livelihood.
The campaign will benefit more than 1.5 lakh tribal families, who have been struggling for their forest rights for decades. The Forest Rights Act, 2006, recognizes the rights of forest dwellers to access, manage, and govern the forest resources. However, due to various bureaucratic and political hurdles, the implementation of the act has been slow and uneven in different states.
Jharkhand is one of the few states in India where a large proportion of the population is tribal. The tribals have a close relationship with nature and respect its resources. They play a vital role in conserving the forest environment and biodiversity.
The Abua Beer Abua Dishom campaign is a welcome step that will help to empower the tribal and ensure their sustainable development. It is also a reminder of the importance of forests in our lives and the need to protect them for future generations.
Here are some of the benefits of the Abua Beer Abua Dishom campaign:
- It will empower the tribal by giving them legal rights over the forest land they have been living on and cultivating for generations.
- It will help to improve the livelihood of the tribals by providing them with access to forest resources and enabling them to participate in the economic development of the state.
- It will help to conserve the forest environment and biodiversity by promoting sustainable forest management practices.
- It will create awareness among the tribals about their rights and responsibilities under the Forest Rights Act.
- It will encourage the tribal to participate in the democratic process.
The Abua Beer Abua Dishom campaign is a significant step towards building a more inclusive and just society. It is a shining example of how governments can work with communities to protect their rights and promote their sustainable development.
