Need to learn about forest conservation from tribals amid climate change and global warming challenges: President Murmu
BHOPAL / President Draupadi Murmu said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (late) had paved the way to carry forward the tribal welfare works at the national level by introducing the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
President Murmu was addressing the Tribal Pride Day celebration in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol on Tuesday, she is on a two-day visit to the state. The state government celebrated the Tribal Pride Day to mark the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda as part of the nationwide celebration.
The President emphasised, “Today, issues of climate change and global warming have posed a major challenge to the world. There is a need to learn from the tribal lifestyle and their determination for conserving forests.”
During the event, the state government launched the Panchayats Extension to Schedule Areas (PESA) Act to implement in the state.
Greeting the gathering President Murmu said that Madhya Pradesh has the largest tribal population in the country, so organising the function, in which several communities of the tribes like Goud, Baiga, Bharia, Sahariya, Bhilala, Bhil and Koul and etc etc. attended, in the state is always relevant.
“Vajpayee was the son of MP, who contributed historically to pave the way for the welfare of the tribals at the national level by constituting the Tribal Affaire Ministry in his tenure as the PM”, the President said. I am happy that keeping in mind Atal Ji’s thoughts, the Union Tribal Affair Ministry is functioning many developments and welfare schemes to them”, she said.
The President said that most of the tribal areas have been rich in forest and mineral wealth. The tribal people live a life based on nature and respectfully protect nature. They had fought fiercely and sacrificed during British rule to protect this natural wealth from exploitation.
PM Narendra Modi had announced on 15 November last year in Bhopal that the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Munda would be celebrated as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ to remember his contribution.
The President recalled the struggle of tribal society in conserving and protecting forest areas during British rule and added they have also sacrificed their lives for this cause. The tribal society gives equal importance to human beings and vegetation, she also said.
“In the tribal society, groups are given importance rather than individuals. Cooperative (living) is preferred instead of competition and equality over speciality,” she said, adding the tribal society has a better gender ratio compared to other communities.
The President said that the tribal community gives equal importance to humanity and nature. They give priority to the community over the individual, cooperation over competition and equality over distinctiveness. Equality between men and women is a feature of tribal society. The gender ratio in tribal society is better than that of the general population. These characteristics of tribal society are exemplary for all.
The President was also happy to note that the Central and State Governments have taken several steps to develop tribal communities in the past few years. She praised the MP government for implementing the PESA Act on the occasion.
MP governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also addressed the audience. Chouhan highlighted the salient features of the PESA Act for the welfare of the tribal communities such as mandatory permission from the Gram Sabha for opening a wine shop and intimating the village body in case any FIR is filed against a tribal person.
MP Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra who appointed minister-in-waiting welcomed the President at state hanger in the capital.
President Murmu also attended the civic reception to be hosted in her honour at the Raj Bhawan in the state capital and virtually lay the foundation stones for projects of the Union Ministries of Defence and Road Transport and Highways. The President will attend a programme of women Self Help Groups in the capital on Wednesday.
