The Landing together team travelled all over the country to document the trajectory of modernization in forests, whence tribal peoples derive their material and spiritual sustenance.
The focus of inquiry was the juxtaposition of industrial urbanity with traditional tribal livelihoods in these forests. Here is a glimpse of some of the forest landscapes we covered -
The focus of inquiry was the juxtaposition of industrial urbanity with traditional tribal livelihoods in these forests. Here is a glimpse of some of the forest landscapes we covered -
NORTH-EAST INDIA
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Assam
Dhansiri Forest Reserve and Marat Longri Reserve, Karbi Anglong in Assam, and also forest near Dimapur-Nagaland border and Karbi Anglong border
Karbi Anglong is one of the three autonomous districts in Assam under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The district is situated in Central Assam and is home to many tribal peoples such as the Karbis (eponymous tribal group), Dimasas, Kukis, Garos, Rengma Nagas, Bodos and others. Karbi Anglong has one of the most concentrated forest covers in the North-East, and domiciles many wildlife sanctuaries and eco-zones.
The Landing Together team visited Dhanasiri Forest Reserve, Marat Longri Reserve and forests near the Dimapur (Nagaland)-Karbi (Assam) border. The border has been the site of tensions over disputed land amongst tribal communities, as well as with the state police. Widespread deforestation of un-classed land and extensive poaching have been the main causal factors.
The traditional jhum (slash and burn or shifting) cultivation in the area is slowly being impinged upon by upcoming rubber plantations of wealthy investors. As the forest becomes a wildlife reserve, increasing numbers of Karbis, Dimasas and other tribal peoples are being displaced.
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Assam
Dhansiri Forest Reserve and Marat Longri Reserve, Karbi Anglong in Assam, and also forest near Dimapur-Nagaland border and Karbi Anglong border
Karbi Anglong is one of the three autonomous districts in Assam under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The district is situated in Central Assam and is home to many tribal peoples such as the Karbis (eponymous tribal group), Dimasas, Kukis, Garos, Rengma Nagas, Bodos and others. Karbi Anglong has one of the most concentrated forest covers in the North-East, and domiciles many wildlife sanctuaries and eco-zones.
The Landing Together team visited Dhanasiri Forest Reserve, Marat Longri Reserve and forests near the Dimapur (Nagaland)-Karbi (Assam) border. The border has been the site of tensions over disputed land amongst tribal communities, as well as with the state police. Widespread deforestation of un-classed land and extensive poaching have been the main causal factors.
The traditional jhum (slash and burn or shifting) cultivation in the area is slowly being impinged upon by upcoming rubber plantations of wealthy investors. As the forest becomes a wildlife reserve, increasing numbers of Karbis, Dimasas and other tribal peoples are being displaced.
WESTERN INDIA
Banswara District, Rajasthan
Dry Deciduous Degraded Forests
Banswara District gets its name from the widespread bamboo (Hindi: baans) forests in the region. Situated on the southern tip of Rajasthan, the district was granted autonomy by the 5th Schedule of the Indian Constitution under the PESA act of 1996.
The Landscape is covered with dry and deciduous forests of bamboo and teak, while hills dot the periphery. The Mahi River flows through the district and sustains the ‘Chachakota’ islands. Banswara is also called ‘The City of Hundred Islands’ owing to these scattered islands. The area receives scanty rainfall and experiences frequent droughts, despite the presence of rivers nearby. Most of the farming in Banswara happens in the innards of the district by the bhil people.
In recent times, the deciduous forests have witnessed anthropogenic degradation as a result of irresponsible timber production. However, it continues to be an important source of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as tendu leaves for beedi rolling, chironji (Buchanania Lanzan) and various natural gums.
CENTRAL INDIA
Rajnandgaon District, Chhattisgarh
Rajnandgaon District is situated on the western tip of Chhattisgarh, and is marked by thick forest cover and mountainous terrain.
As one would expect, tribals in the district are struggling to secure any semblance of collective forest land rights or establish control over community forest resources. Edible non-timber forest products like custard apples, chironji (Buchanania Lanzan), mahua (Madhuca longifolia) and fuel wood for household consumption constitute the major source of livelihood for the indigenous peoples.
Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve was established in 1975 under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The reserve is a tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forest. Sal, bija, saja, haldu, teak, tinsa, dhawara, lendia, khamar and bamboo are common vegetation here along with over 600 species of medicinal plants and countless species of wild fauna.
The Baigas – one of the so-called primitive tribes living in the reserve – have developed a historical co-existence with the forest for livelihood and spiritual connection. However, since the designation of the forest as a tiger reserve, they are being ousted from the forest, where they were once at ease with the surrounding wilderness.
Korba district, Chhattisgarh
Korba is referred to as the ‘Power Hub of Chhattisgarh’ owing to its abundant deposits of coal. In the 1970’s, Korba witnessed the emergence of massive coalfields, many of which were privatized in the 90’s. In 2010-11, Korba’s coalfields produced more than 80 Million Tonnes!
The district is enriched with lush forest cover and is the traditional home of the Pahadi Korwas. However, since the acquisition of large amounts of land for coal mining, both the wilderness and the tribals’ livelihoods have degraded. The forest cover since the 70’s has gone down from 48.33% to 33.90% in 2009. The reluctance of mining companies to adhere to Environment Impact Assessment rules has polluted the Hasdeo River, the air and the soil. Tribals have been unable to avail the employment and compensatory provisions. Further, both the viability of agriculture and the health of tribals are threatened due to the hazardous effects of mining.
Ranchi and Chhatra districts, Jharkhand
Jharkhand, much like its neighbour Chhattisgarh, is home to dense tropical wet and dry forests and wildlife. In fact, the word ‘Jharkhand’ means ‘land covered with forest’.
About 29% of Jharkhand still constitutes forest cover, despite increasing industrialization and mining in revenue centres like Ranchi, where forest cover has come down to 28%. Chhatra district maintains 47% cover, which has also decreased in recent years.
Like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand is also rich in mineral deposits – highest coal deposits in India (also the sole producer of prime coking coal), plentiful iron ore, copper ore, bauxite and many more.
Both legal and illegal mining operations have devastated large portions of precious forests and left behind degraded wastelands, polluted rivers and air, diminishing concentration of wildlife and dwindling livelihoods of tribal peoples dependant on the forest for centuries. Even though more than 99% of Jharkhand’s forests are either protected or reserved, mining continues while tribal peoples are displaced.
Rajnandgaon District, Chhattisgarh
Rajnandgaon District is situated on the western tip of Chhattisgarh, and is marked by thick forest cover and mountainous terrain.
As one would expect, tribals in the district are struggling to secure any semblance of collective forest land rights or establish control over community forest resources. Edible non-timber forest products like custard apples, chironji (Buchanania Lanzan), mahua (Madhuca longifolia) and fuel wood for household consumption constitute the major source of livelihood for the indigenous peoples.
Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve was established in 1975 under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The reserve is a tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forest. Sal, bija, saja, haldu, teak, tinsa, dhawara, lendia, khamar and bamboo are common vegetation here along with over 600 species of medicinal plants and countless species of wild fauna.
The Baigas – one of the so-called primitive tribes living in the reserve – have developed a historical co-existence with the forest for livelihood and spiritual connection. However, since the designation of the forest as a tiger reserve, they are being ousted from the forest, where they were once at ease with the surrounding wilderness.
Korba district, Chhattisgarh
Korba is referred to as the ‘Power Hub of Chhattisgarh’ owing to its abundant deposits of coal. In the 1970’s, Korba witnessed the emergence of massive coalfields, many of which were privatized in the 90’s. In 2010-11, Korba’s coalfields produced more than 80 Million Tonnes!
The district is enriched with lush forest cover and is the traditional home of the Pahadi Korwas. However, since the acquisition of large amounts of land for coal mining, both the wilderness and the tribals’ livelihoods have degraded. The forest cover since the 70’s has gone down from 48.33% to 33.90% in 2009. The reluctance of mining companies to adhere to Environment Impact Assessment rules has polluted the Hasdeo River, the air and the soil. Tribals have been unable to avail the employment and compensatory provisions. Further, both the viability of agriculture and the health of tribals are threatened due to the hazardous effects of mining.
Ranchi and Chhatra districts, Jharkhand
Jharkhand, much like its neighbour Chhattisgarh, is home to dense tropical wet and dry forests and wildlife. In fact, the word ‘Jharkhand’ means ‘land covered with forest’.
About 29% of Jharkhand still constitutes forest cover, despite increasing industrialization and mining in revenue centres like Ranchi, where forest cover has come down to 28%. Chhatra district maintains 47% cover, which has also decreased in recent years.
Like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand is also rich in mineral deposits – highest coal deposits in India (also the sole producer of prime coking coal), plentiful iron ore, copper ore, bauxite and many more.
Both legal and illegal mining operations have devastated large portions of precious forests and left behind degraded wastelands, polluted rivers and air, diminishing concentration of wildlife and dwindling livelihoods of tribal peoples dependant on the forest for centuries. Even though more than 99% of Jharkhand’s forests are either protected or reserved, mining continues while tribal peoples are displaced.
EAST INDIA
Sundargarh District, Odisha
Khandadhar Falls, Buchkupara Jungle and Kamado Village
Sundargarh (‘beautiful fort’) District became a part of Odisha in 1948 under the 5th Schedule of the Constitution. Remaining true to its name, Sundargarh is a 'beautiful place' with more than 40% forest cover.
The Landing Together team visited forests near Khandadhar Falls, Barangakhol Village and Kamado Village.
The forest in Sundargarh District is thick, but depleting fast due to excessive mining in the region. The rich forest near Khandadhar is abundant in iron ore. This has caused the local Paudi Bhuyan, so-called primitive hunting gathering, tribe to struggle for their traditional rights against the mining company. Buchkupara jungle is mined for dolomite, sponge iron and other minerals. The village forest committee and the gram sabha or village council had been successful in halting mining activities temporarily during the filming phase. However, the mining company has been attempting to enter the area again illegally this year 2017. Similarly, the forest in Kamado has been encroached upon by mining companies, causing widespread soil erosion.
Sundargarh District, Odisha
Khandadhar Falls, Buchkupara Jungle and Kamado Village
Sundargarh (‘beautiful fort’) District became a part of Odisha in 1948 under the 5th Schedule of the Constitution. Remaining true to its name, Sundargarh is a 'beautiful place' with more than 40% forest cover.
The Landing Together team visited forests near Khandadhar Falls, Barangakhol Village and Kamado Village.
The forest in Sundargarh District is thick, but depleting fast due to excessive mining in the region. The rich forest near Khandadhar is abundant in iron ore. This has caused the local Paudi Bhuyan, so-called primitive hunting gathering, tribe to struggle for their traditional rights against the mining company. Buchkupara jungle is mined for dolomite, sponge iron and other minerals. The village forest committee and the gram sabha or village council had been successful in halting mining activities temporarily during the filming phase. However, the mining company has been attempting to enter the area again illegally this year 2017. Similarly, the forest in Kamado has been encroached upon by mining companies, causing widespread soil erosion.
SOUTH INDIA
Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Nilgiris in Southern India, kissing the state boundaries of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The forest is a declared tiger reserve and will soon constitute the core of a vast Elephant Corridor. However, an infestation of the infamous Lantana Weed has been encroaching into grazing pastures and threatening the livelihoods of both the wildlife and the tribal peoples.
Mudumalai is home to two Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) – the Betta Kurumbas and the Kattunayakans. Since the designation of the region as an Elephant Corridor, the communities living inside this forest area have become ‘encroachers’ on their own land. From the core area, where they are accustomed to habitation, they have now been moved to the fringes of the forest.
The fringes of Mudumalai are peppered with hotels, resorts, tea & coffee plantations, big farms and smaller farms mainly of spices such as pepper, cardamom and ginger. The Betta Kurumba and Kattanayakan tribal peoples are rarely among the owners of these profitable establishments.
Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Nilgiris in Southern India, kissing the state boundaries of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The forest is a declared tiger reserve and will soon constitute the core of a vast Elephant Corridor. However, an infestation of the infamous Lantana Weed has been encroaching into grazing pastures and threatening the livelihoods of both the wildlife and the tribal peoples.
Mudumalai is home to two Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) – the Betta Kurumbas and the Kattunayakans. Since the designation of the region as an Elephant Corridor, the communities living inside this forest area have become ‘encroachers’ on their own land. From the core area, where they are accustomed to habitation, they have now been moved to the fringes of the forest.
The fringes of Mudumalai are peppered with hotels, resorts, tea & coffee plantations, big farms and smaller farms mainly of spices such as pepper, cardamom and ginger. The Betta Kurumba and Kattanayakan tribal peoples are rarely among the owners of these profitable establishments.
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Website design and development by Purabi Bose. ©purabibose October 2016
