Challenges of Tribal Rights in the Globalized World: An Indian Perspective

Introduction

The field of tribal rights and development has several obstacles, especially in nations like India. As the significance of geographical and regional boundaries diminishes in a world where there has been a history of violence and exploitation against these groups, it is imperative to look into the impact of globalization on the struggles faced by tribal communities in India.

The complex phenomena of globalization, which has both advantages and disadvantages, has the capacity to unite people worldwide. However, in the name of progress, indigenous populations are often uprooted from their ancestral lands as a result of the increasing liberalization, privatization, and industrialization brought about by globalization. This blog aims to investigate the ways in which the increasing influence of globalization undermines tribal rights.

India's Globalization's Development

Globalization, the comprehensive process of integrating human activity across cultural and national boundaries, saw a major shift in India in 1991. Prior to this period, India placed hefty import tariffs and export levies on international commerce in an effort to protect its developing economy, which was mostly dependent on the jute, tea, and cotton trade. But when faced with economic stagnation, India welcomed privatization and liberalization, enacting new trade and economic laws that helped the country's economy grow.

The World commerce Organization said in 2015 that India's share of global commerce rose from 1.2 percent in 2006 to 2.7 percent[1]. Globalization has improved things, but it has also had bad effects. In India, for example, indigenous tribes may not be aware of their rights because of cultural norms and low levels of education.

The Effect of Globalization on Tribal Rights: An Indian Viewpoint

With 8.6% of the total population, India is home to one of the biggest tribal communities in the world[2]. These tribes have a tendency to keep their distance from metropolitan civilization since they are self-sufficient and dependent on the land for their subsistence. Tribal people's life has been profoundly impacted by globalization, particularly in areas like Jharkhand, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh where development projects have uprooted them and jeopardized their continued survival.

Large-scale deforestation is one of the effects of industrialization driven by globalization, which has an impact on the essential function that forests serve in tribal life. These communities' low levels of education make it difficult for them to find other sources of income, which feeds the cycle of exploitation and poverty. Furthermore, industrialization increases chemical exposure, which puts tribal groups at greater risk for health problems. The lack of access to sanitary facilities and healthcare exacerbates these dangers.

Tribal rights are being violated, as seen by the denial of the Right to Equality, the discrimination in schooling, and the rights to life and the right not to be exploited. Even in Dalit communities, discrimination and exclusionary behaviors exacerbate the problems indigenous people suffer.

Current Tribal Community Laws and Their Deficiencies

There are issues with the way that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989[3], and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955[4], which the Indian government passed, protect tribal tribes legally.

Practical difficulties exist for the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996[5] (PESA), which attempts to provide tribal Gram Sabhas the authority to manage their own affairs and safeguard their resources and territory. The efficacy of PESA is hampered by state officials' ignorance and indifference, a lack of connection with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and imprecise classifications of natural resources.

Laws such as The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act of 2006[6] are insufficient to prevent unrestrained development driven by globalization from destroying forest resources. The adoption of preventive measures is impeded by government ministries' reluctance and the absence of regulatory procedures.

Conclusion

In summary, while India's tribal development is making slow progress, it is not strong enough to offset the effects of unrestrained globalization-driven industrialization, privatization, and commercialization. Setting tribal welfare as a top priority is crucial to ensuring that, in a globalized society, tribal rights are more than just theoretical ideas.

Comprehensive reporting on the return of alienated land to tribal communities, more involvement of tribal organizations in land-related decisions, and steps to guarantee their profit from the commercialization of tribal territory are among the suggestions for reform. Strict implementation of current laws and adequate rehabilitation facilities with job opportunities for displaced tribes are essential measures for improving tribal circumstances. In the face of globalization, the government must actively oversee and carry out these actions to safeguard and advance the rights of indigenous groups.

Reference(s):

[1] “WTO | Trade Policy Review - India 2002” <https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp195_e.htm> accessed on 6 November 2023.

[2] V. Nair A and V. S V, “Globalisation, Land Alienation and Its Impact on the Right to Livelihood of the Tribal Communities in Kerala” (2018) 6 Sociology and Anthropology 349 <http://dx.doi.org/10.13189/sa.2018.060401> accessed 5 November 2023.

[3] Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, (19890 <https://tribal.nic.in/actRules/preventionofAtricities.pdf> accessed 2 November 2023.

[4] Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955

[5] The Panchayat Act, 1996

[6] Forest Right Act (2006) <https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/FRA/FRAActnRulesBook.pdf> accessed 7 November 2023.

Disclaimer: The author affirms that this article is an entirely original work, never before submitted for publication at any journal, blog, or other publication avenue. Any unintentional resemblance to previously published material is purely coincidental. This article is intended solely for academic and scholarly discussion. The author takes personal responsibility for any potential infringement of intellectual property rights belonging to any individuals, organizations, governments, or institutions.