Mankidia Community Granted Habitat Rights in Odisha Forests

The Mankidia community in Odisha has been granted habitat rights, making them the sixth Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) to receive this recognition under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. This important legal recognition allows the Mankidia to access and manage their traditional forest areas, which were previously limited due to their PVTG status.

Overview of the Mankidia Community

The Mankidia are a semi-nomadic tribe, meaning they move around to find resources rather than staying in one place permanently. They are well-known for their skills in rope-making and have traditional practices that include trapping and eating monkeys. Historically, the Mankidia have depended on forest resources for their livelihood and cultural practices. With this new recognition, they now have legal rights to their ancestral lands, affirming their connection to these areas.

Importance of Habitat Rights

The habitat rights granted under Section 2(h) of the Forest Rights Act define an area that includes not just the community’s traditional habitat but also some parts of reserved and protected forests. This formal recognition lifts previous restrictions, allowing the Mankidia to engage freely in their traditional activities, such as gathering food and crafting materials.

Legislative Framework

The Forest Rights Act, which was passed in 2006, aims to correct historical wrongs faced by tribal communities in India. It provides a framework for recognizing the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers to their ancestral lands, ensuring that they can maintain their lifestyles and cultural practices.

Progress in Odisha

The Mankidia are the second PVTG in Odisha to receive habitat rights, following the Paudi Bhuyan community, which gained recognition earlier in 2024. This process has also led to approvals for other PVTGs in the state, including the Juang, Saora, Chuktia Bhunjia, and Hill Khadia communities. This progress makes Odisha a leader in implementing habitat rights for tribal communities in India.

Current Status of Other PVTGs

While the Mankidia and other communities have secured their habitat rights, claims from additional PVTGs in Odisha are still being reviewed. In contrast, other states in India have granted habitat rights to fewer tribal communities, showing that Odisha is taking a more progressive approach to supporting these vulnerable groups.

More About the Mankidia Community

The Mankidia community, mainly residing in Odisha, is a small and marginalized tribal group with a unique lifestyle. They traditionally engage in hunting, gathering, and activities related to the forest. The Mankidia speak a dialect of the Kui language and are classified as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG). Their traditional diet primarily consists of forest products, and they have faced significant challenges from deforestation and land encroachments. Efforts are ongoing to preserve their culture, but their population is dwindling, which highlights the urgent need for sustainable development to protect their way of life.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2024

Category: States Current Affairs