Industrialization dangers tribal communities, warns church group

The rampant industrialization and consumerism of the modern society is greatly impacting tribal communities in India, warns the Synodical Board of Social Services of the Church of North India (CNISBSS).

Tribal communities, more specifically the tribal women, have been the worst victim of the imposing of developmental policies that have led to a clear conflict over natural resources, says Bibhudutta Sahu of CNISBSS.

Sahu was speaking at a workshop on empowering tribal women organised by the National Council of Churches of India and ISPCK in Bhubaneswar.

Only 20% of India needs industry for their requirements. The rest 80% are still fighting for a minimum living. "Go to the communities living in Niyamgiri, Kashipur and other pockets where tribal communities live in and enquire if industrialisation is what they really need," asks Sahu. "If that is not true, why imposing our perceptions of development on them?"

He continues: "We are pushing the earth to the brink of collapse through our 'greed' and not 'need'. Consumerism is driving us beyond sustainability. But, why the tribals are being sacrificed for this? Why should we invade the land of the tribals and grab them in the name of development? Why should we force them to leave their land and forests for our desire? Isn't it their right to decide how they want to live their life with dignity?"

Sahu feels the tribals are subjected to live on the desires of non-tribals and outsiders who always think the tribals "worthless third class citizens". Converting a self-sustained tribal community into an industrial labour community is not true development, he points.

"Be it the conflict between the tribals and corporate forces over Niyamgiri hill range of Kalahandi, forests of Kashipur and land rights in Kalinga Nagar, or the conflict between tribal and non-tribal communities in Kandhamal and Koraput's Narayanpatna, the fight is over the natural resources like water, air, land and plants or forests. In all the cases we the outsiders behave like their guardians and impose our ideas of life and development on them," Sahu laments.

According to him, what the tribals of India need is ensuring and protecting their right over the resources they have been enjoying since generations. "Neither the government nor the corporates should impose their selfish idea of development on the innocent tribals," he cautions.