Tribal communities in Gujarat have recently been on the news due to their protests against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The order labels 121 villages around the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Narmada district as eco-sensitive zones. This has led to a strong appeal from the tribes to the center to revoke this notification to quell the protests.
Tribal Concerns
Tribes like Tadvi and Vasava have expressed worries since the Kevadia village of Narmada district was developed into a tourism circuit around the Statue of Unity (SoU). Their main concern is the land falling within the eco-sensitive zone which includes areas used for agriculture and plots reserved for parks. According to the MoEFCC order, land in this zone cannot be transferred for non-agricultural use. This includes commercial, industrial or residential uses.
Government Intervention
The state government has initiated a process to become a co-owner of the land in these 121 villages. However, this move has created further unrest among the tribal communities, as they were not consulted before making this decision.
Effect of Government Decisions
The formation of the SoU Tourism Authority, also known as the SoU Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority, has increased administrative needs due to the growing tourism sector. This development, coupled with the controversial notification, has fomented mistrust and fear among the tribals. They believe that the simultaneous implementation of these two decisions could weaken the powers granted to villagers under the Panchayat (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA Act), 1996.
PESA Act
The PESA Act, implemented in areas notified under Schedule V of the Constitution, holds great significance for the tribal communities. The act promised a separate security force for the gram sabhas (village councils), giving them full authority to resolve their issues. However, according to legal experts, this act has not been fully enforced.
Statue of Unity Tourism Authority
The SoU Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SoUTA) Bill was passed in 2019, allocating Rs. 10 crore from the state’s consolidated fund for SoUTA to carry out its functions. Activists and legal experts worry that this Act will overshadow the provisions of PESA.
Functions and Powers of SoUTA
SoUTA primarily operates as a local body, undertaking tasks such as planning and executing development plans or town schemes, removing encroachments, and providing civic amenities. Its powers include acquiring immovable property, taking punitive action against encroachers, and defining tourism development area limits.
The Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
First declared a protected area in 1982, the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary spans an area of 607.70 sq km. Initially created for the protection of sloth bears, it houses a mixed forest of teak, riverine forest, and deciduous dry jungles. It is home to various flora and fauna, including leopards, pangolins, and birds like the Alexandrine parakeet.