Natives turn restive
Of late growing unrest has been witnessed across the nation over regularisation of tribal people's settlements inside forests. From Uttaranchal in the north to Kerala in the south, land rights of traditional settlers inside forests have not only become a contentious issue but have sparked full-blown political agitations.
In Orissa's tribal-dominated Malkangiri district more than 30 people were killed and property worth lakhs of rupees gutted during protests last year by indigenous people against the influx of Bangladeshi migrants into their traditional lands. Violence has escalated in the region even though the government has not yet granted land ownership to tribals inside forests. In Andhra Pradesh's tribal pockets, the tribals' stir has taken strong political overtones.
With a view to arresting this disquiet, various state and union territory governments have submitted proposals for deregularising over 4.5 million hectares (ha) of forestland