Other tribes such as Jaungs of Jajpur, Paudi Bhuyans of Deogarh in Odisha and Bharia PVTG in Madhya Pradesh and Kamar PVTG and Baiga PVTG in Chhattisgarh have habitat rights.
Habitat Rights
- It was introduced under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 also known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
- FRA defines ‘habitat’ as the ‘area comprising the customary habitat and such other habitats in reserved and protected forests of primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities, and other forest dwelling STs’.
- Habitat Rights are accorded after a sequence of consultation with the community members, traditional leaders, women leaders, district and forest administration, etc.
- Significance for PVTGs: Concerned rights over their customary territory of habitation, socio-cultural practices, intellectual knowledge, traditional knowledge, and conservation of their natural and cultural heritage.
About PVTGs
- Government has recognised 75 PVTGs spread across 18 states and one UT based on the recommendations of the Dhebar Committee (1960-61).
- Odisha houses 13 PVTGs-highest among all the states and UT
- The criteria for identifying PVTG are: Pre-agricultural level of technology, Low level of literacy, Economic backwardness, and declining or stagnant population.
Juang Tribe, Odisha
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