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A National Call For Democracy In The Forests of India

by Campaign for Survival and Dignity, 1 August 2009

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Campaign For Survival and Dignity
- Delhi Contact: Q-1 Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi 110 016. Ph: -9810819301, forestcampaign(at)gmail.com
- www.forestrightsact.com

PRESS RELEASE

On August 3rd. Protests Across India Against Sabotage of the Forest Rights Act

On August 3rd, in State capitals and district headquarters across the country, thousands of people will join morchas, dharnas and protests with the following demands:

  • Halt Forest Department interference, exclusion of rights holders, and violation of people’s rights under under the Forest Rights Act;
  • Recognise our right and power to protect and control our forests and resources;
  • Stop illegally destroying forests and robbing us of our resources through diversion for private companies and large projects.

The passage of the Forest Rights Act in December 2006 was a historic step forward for the struggle against the autocratic, brutal and repressive rule of colonial laws and the Forest Department in India’s forests. But the mere passage of a law is not enough to overturn a century of oppression. Today, the fight continues for a new order in the forests – one built around democracy instead of bureaucracy, around the people rather than the officials, and around the forests and their citizens rather than the corporates and capital. Protests will take place in the following states:

Gujarat: Rallies and public hearings will be held in Rajpipla, Dharmapur, Ahwa, Vyara and Chota Udaipur, and dharnas at Modasa, Khedbrahma and Vadgam.

Madhya Pradesh: Rallies and dharnas have already begun in the major districts, leading up to a mass chakka jam at Bhopal on August 3rd. Gondwana Ganatantrak Party will be organising a mass demonstrations in districts and in Delhi in the week that follows.

Maharashtra: Mass rallies and dharnas will take place in Raigad, Thane and Nandurbar Districts.

Chhattisgarh: A mass dharna will take place in Raipur on August 3rd.

Orissa: District level protests and dharnas will take place. A mass demonstration organised by Orissa Jan Adhikar Morcha will take place in Bhubaneshwar.

Rajasthan: Mass protests by Jangal Jameen Jan Andolan will take place in 10 locations on August 3rd.

Jharkhand: Mass rallies will take place in Ranchi and district headquarters on August 3rd.

Andhra Pradesh: Mass rallies will take place in front of ITDA offices in district headquarters across all eight Scheduled Area districts.

Bharat Jan Andolan, National Front for Tribal Self Rule, Jangal Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti (Mah), Adivasi Mahasabha (Guj), Adivasi Jangal Janjeevan Andolan (D&NH), Jangal Jameen Jan Andolan (Raj), Madhya Pradesh Van Adhikar Abhiyan (MP), Jan Shakti Sanghatan (Chat), Peoples Alliance for Livelihood Rights, Orissa Jan Sangharsh Morcha, Campaign for Survival & Dignity (Ori), Orissa Adivasi Manch, Orissa Jan Adhikar Morcha, Adivasi Aikya Vedike (AP), Campaign for Survival and Dignity – TN, Bharat Jan Andolan (Jhar).