The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is an annual event that takes place on 9th August. It aims to honor and uphold the rights of indigenous populations globally, while also acknowledging the vital contributions they make towards key global issues like environmental protection. The significance of the day originates from the inaugural meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva, held in 1982. Celebrations have ensued annually since 1994, thanks to a declaration by the United Nations.
The 2020 Theme: Covid-19 and indigenous peoples’ resilience
With the world grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the theme chosen for that year’s celebration was “Covid-19 and the indigenous peoples’ resilience”. This theme highlighted the remarkable ability of these groups to adapt and thrive even amidst a global health crisis.
Tribal Groups in India
As per data gathered in the 2011 census, tribal populations account for 8.6% of India’s total population. Over 700 individual tribal groups exist within the country, with around 75 categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The Gond tribe is the largest tribal group in India, and Odisha is home to the greatest number of tribal communities (62). Interestingly, no tribes are identified in certain regions such as Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Puducherry.
Constitutional Provisions for Tribes in India
The Constitution of India has several provisions in place to safeguard tribal interests and rout out discrimination. Article 342(1) empowers the President to classify tribes or tribal communities as Scheduled Tribes in any State or Union Territory, following consultation with the respective Governor. Article 15 and 16 prohibit discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth and ensure equality of opportunity in public employment, respectively.
Article 46 promotes educational and economic interests of the scheduled castes, tribes and other weaker sections. Similarly, Article 335 addresses the claims of Scheduled Castes and Tribes to services and posts. Furthermore, under Article 338-A, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was established. The 5th and 6th Schedules govern the administration and control of Scheduled and Tribal Areas.
Legislative Measures
Several legal protections have been instituted for tribes in India. The Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955) acts as a bulwark against untouchability. The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (1989) prevents atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act (1996) extends the provisions of Part IX of the Indian Constitution, relating to the Panchayats, to Scheduled Areas. Lastly, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (2006) recognizes and upholds the forest rights and occupation in forest land for forest-dwelling tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
Committees Related to Tribal Communities
There have been various committees formed through the years that focus on tribal communities. This includes the Xaxa Committee (2013), Bhuria Commission (2002-2004), and the Lokur Committee (1965). These bodies have each played crucial roles in studying, understanding, and addressing the needs of tribal communities across India.
