Dr. Dimpal Mesta, SDM Law College, Manglore
Introduction
Since time immemorial forest has been the habitat of the tribal people in all the countries with tribal population. In India, almost all the tribal groups are found in their forest habitat. Forest is a resource, but not just a resource or collection, of trees. It is rather a reflection of the tribal life support system. Forests are their emotions. They are organic past of their life. Tribals have existed since historic times in symbiotic relationship, mutually reinforcing each other.1 The tribal communities constitute around 8.2 per cent of the national population according to 2011 census. India is a home for more than 635 tribes, sub-divided into groups, spread throughout the national barring a few states, concentrated mostly in the hilly and forest region.2
As forests are the mainstay of tribal population since times immemorial, they depended heavily on forests, forest produce and hunt animals. The tribes had a firm conviction and feeling which remained so deep even today, that the forest belongs to them. It supplies them the fruits of all kinds in all seasons, nourishing roots and fish. It also provides them with material to build their homes and keeps them warm with its fuel and offers cool with its shade; their religious faith leads them to believe that there are many spirits living in trees and forests. Estimates show that 40 per cent of the tribes depend on forests but their participation in forestry is minimal. According to National Forest Policy, 1988 “Forest should not be looked upon as a source of revenue. Forest is renewable natural resources. They are a national asset to be protected and enhanced for the wellbeing of the people and the nation”.
