Madhya Pradesh BJP government that denies tribals their rights and promises their country: congress

All India Adivasi Congress -President Vikrant Bhuria focuses on a press conference at AICC HQ in New Delhi on March 3, 2025. Photo -lit: Ani

New Delhi

The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh intends to privatize 40% of the forests of the state and tries to relocate Tribals from their natural habitat, the Congrespartie claimed Monday.

Tackling a press conference at the 24 Akbar Road Office of the Congrest Party, newly appointed Adivasi Congress chairman and Jhabua MLA Vikrant Bhuria claimed that the BJP “weakens” the constitutional rights of tribals and “grabs” their country. “BJP government of Madhya Pradesh wants to remove tribals from the woods,” said Mr Bhuria.

“The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh is going to privatize 40% of the forests. The government says these forests are ruined, so they will give them to private companies so that they can develop them. But what is hidden is that tribals are located in these forests, or they have meadows in these forests, or they have agricultural land, “he said.

He claimed that Tribals, who are number 12 crore, and the original inhabitants of the country, are denied their rights. “So, the MP government has made all the preparations to remove them from these forests,” he said, adding that the previous BJP government of former minister -President Shivraj Singh Chouhan also tried to do “, but had to reverse it because of” public opposition “.

The congress leader said that the purpose of the Panchayats (extension of the planned areas) was to strengthen Panchayati Raj in the planned areas, because the needs and laws of tribals are different. “As part of this, the Gram Sabha laws are universally accepted, which means that self-administration in the village will function through the tribals. If you want to do any kind of work in the village, you must take permission from the tribals. But the reality is that even today tribals are not consulted, “said Mr Bhuria.

Mr Bhuria referred to a design policy that was introduced by the forest department of the State that it was placed in the public domain to ask the opinion of the public last month.

The draft policy policy for Bosherstel with the help of CSR, CER and non-governmental funds for the forests with low density to restore private investments and through social responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) Fund of company companies and voluntary organizations.

Saying that 37 Lakh hectare of the more than 95 Lakh hectare forest covering of the state is broken down, the design policy offers investors the right to sell small forest products and earn carbon credits.

The first part of the design policy says that a land package of at least 10 hectares at district level would be identified for restoration via CSR and CER funds, while the second part says that a private investor will have to take a country package between 25 and 1,000 hectare. The private investors can seize the country package via a tripartite agreement with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (MPFDC) and respective forest committees for 60 years.

“The costs of plantation are currently around £ 5 to 8 lakh per hectare, depending on the variety, the size of the land cluster, the soil and climatic conditions. However, it depends on the experience, skill and expertise of the private investor, “is the concept document.

However, ASEEM SHRIVASTAVA, head curator of the State of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Bospower (Hoff), denied that the policy proposes to give control of forests to private players.

Spend against The HinduMr. Shrivastava said: “This is not a privatization. The policy only talks about bringing private investments. They have no ownership control over the forests, but only get part of the profit from the restored part. Other authorities such as forest committees that will be involved in the restoration work will also receive a share of the profit. “

Mr. Shrivastava said that some “small changes” were made to the design policy based on the suggestions received. “We sent the changed design to the administration,” he said.

Another forest department official, who asked for anonymity, said that various organizations, including a few linked to the Rashtriya Singeramsevak Sangh (RSS), “strong against” policy.

Wildlife and forest rights activist Ajay Dubey said that the process of searching for the opinion of the audience did not have the goal.

Although the plan was welcomed ‘in principle’, Mr Dubey said: “The majority of the tribal population, which is most affected by it, does not check the website of the forest department. There are pockets where tribals don’t even read Hindi. The government followed the tradition, but it did not serve the goal. ‘

Mr Dubey also called for an action plan from the government in case someone tries to take on Bosland. “At the moment everything seems vague. The government must also specify the affected forest areas, either region or district, so that the local communities can get a clarity, “he added.