227 villages in three districts of Rajasthan declared Schedule Areas

This new development will benefit the scheduled tribes residing in Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh

Uttar Pradesh grants 3 forest villages revenue status under FRA

Kaluwala, Sodhinagar and Bhagwatpur were given the revenue status, which means that the inhabitants, Tongia tribals, will now have access to …

Forest rights in Bastar: Of tribals being ‘guests’ in their own woods

There is a strong need to recognise locals’ customary rights over forests in Bastar and enhance their capacity to conserve them

Amrabad Tiger Reserve: An Eden under threat

The recent in-principle clearance granted for uranium exploration in Telangana’s Amrabad Tiger Reserve, will destroy a landscape rich in …

Why Hatti community leaders want Fifth Schedule status

The Hatti community lives along the Giri and Tons rivers in southeastern Himachal; they feel their development has been stalled due to …

MGNREGA never intended to pay workers based on caste: Jean Drèze

Economist and honorary professor at the Delhi School of Economics, Jean Drèze speaks to Down To Earth

MP forest dwellers protest eviction, 4 hurt by police pellets

Allegation against state: Violation of Forest Rights Act

Integrated Child Development not serving those who need it the most, finds study

Those from lower castes and the poor miss out on education, nutrition

World Health Day: The doctor who ushered in health awareness, COVID-19 vaccines to Odisha’s Bonda tribe

The Bonda tribe is one of the most primitive in India and prone to vector-borne diseases

47% vacancies reserved for Scheduled Tribes remain unfilled

Minister informs Parliament on number of backlog vacancies, decline in funds for other economic support schemes for STs  

Implementing PESA Act in Jharkhand is not an easy task

The Act recognising the right of tribal communities in Scheduled Areas was enacted in 1996. Despite being formed 22 years ago, Jharkhand is yet …

Right of forest inhabitants for claims against eviction not limited to Adivasi, backward communities: Supreme Court

Forest communities do not only consist of people from recognised Adivasi and other backward communities, but also other groups residing in the …

Polavaram dam project has opened floodgates of corruption: activists

Activists are calling for setting up of a multi-member judicial commission to do a comprehensive enquiry into the process of land acquisition, …

Mahashweta Devi, a writer who became a voice of marginalised communities

Mahashweta Devi was not just an onlooker, but a responsible representative of the downtrodden and the ignored population of India

As told to Parliament (July 26, 2023): Trend of decreasing monsoon rainfall observed in five states in 1989-2018 period

All that was discussed in the House through the day

Andhra mining agency told to ‘go back’ by Nimmalapadu tribals at public hearing

First hearing since 1997 Supreme Court judgment, Kept out of mining lease decisions at least five times despite legal win, say villagers

West Bengal polls: What’s in it for Adivasis and forest dwellers?

For political parties, tribal votes matter more than including tribal concerns in their political agenda.  

Classification under SC, ST categories: Recognition needs to go beyond govern-analytics

Bill extending ST status to several communities raises questions regarding the category and its applicability in contemporary times

Village headmen in Niyamgiri refuse to sign on dates for gram sabha on Vedanta

Demand Palli Sabha on Vedanta’s bauxite mining should include 112 villages