Indigenous people are acknowledged to be the earliest settlers of an area or a nation. They are all over the world. Globally they number about 500 million. They represent the greater part of the world’s cultural diversity. India has given official status to 8.6% tribals, namely 10 crore.
In every country they live in natural surroundings. Forested lands, rivers and water sources, trees and fruits, medicinal plants and food items, timber and fuel, have been their life-promoting companions. More than that, these areas provide refreshing air and health promoting atmosphere. Above all, the lands they occupy are blessed with mineral resources.
However, this blessing has been turning out to be a curse for them. Curse, because the land and mineral resources are under attack. The rich and the powerful business lobbies are invading indigenous people’s land. Taking advantage of their nearness to politicians and even some Adivasi leaders, these business sharks plunder the land and run away with mineral resources. They make money. Their riches grow sky high. They build big mansions. They construct more factories. They expand their business. Some NGOs contribute to their greed by providing quality education to their kids. Education often becomes a money spinning business.
What is the end result? The indigenous become victims of poverty. They remain illiterate and unemployed. Their children have to run away to other states or countries for work as coolies and housemaids.
They lose their land which is their lifeline. They are displaced. Time was when the indigenous people lived happily, enjoying fruits and food, fresh air and good health. Now they are becoming victims of pollution, malaria, TB, cholera, poverty and displacement.
In the name of development even hitherto forgotten rural areas are laid out with broad roads to facilitate easy transport of mineral resources. Development becomes top-heavy. The bottom of the pyramid houses vast numbers of people thrown to the margins of life. That is development.
The salvation of the indigenous people is in their own hands. When genuine leadership takes over, when their children get educated, when they become aware of their right for their resources, and when they claim and enjoy their rights, that is when genuine development happens!
