Conservation with out Care | International Day of the World’s Indigenous people | World Tribal Day

Conservation with out Care

9August. World Tribal day. International Day of the World's Indigenous People's 

Every time, I attend a workshop or a seminar on any environment-related issue like the conservation of wildlife, forests, climate change, etc. It is always fascinating to ponder over some of the very intriguing questions like, how nature works, how much time it takes to form a drop of water, how much forest are we left with, is sustainable life really possible, what should come first development or environment and if development is coming at the cost of environment, then can we really call it development, what is the actual meaning of development? 

Let’s Park these normative questions aside for a moment. Because my purpose here is not to respond to these important normative questions. Rather, through these questions, I want to bring to your focus the importance of bios and the efforts that many environmentalists have put into making us realise the importance of bios and in conserving/protecting the environment. 

However, my only reservation for the environmentalist hinges on the fact that though they have done a lot to conserve the forests and protect the environment, they have done very little for the people who have made efforts to conserve the environment for ages. Yes! here I am tribal people. What follows in this short article is I will try to highlight how social justice is the stepping stone to environmental justice.

Environmentalists have mostly used the language of conservation, in a very materialist sense to highlight the to highlight the importance of the environment and how we can protect it. They may say to use water effectively and save water. However, they seldom talk about the people who bring water or who have kept water reservoirs conserved, and who have preserved the forests since time immemorial.

All the green discourse or Environmental discourse revolves around conservation. But they have cared very less about the communities that have been taking care of natural resources even before the introduction of these discourses. They don't talk about tribals, the community who have taken care of forests. Dalits, who have resided in villages and have been living sustainably. They (Dalits) have been working in fields where most of the organic food gets cultivated. 

Here I would blame the identities of most environmentalists and green warriors around there. All of them are very conscious and sensitive to biological Justice or human dominance over nature. But they never care about social justice, especially for the communities who are primary caretakers of the Earth. They have got sympathy for animals but not for tribals.

Why don't they speak for the primary custodians of Earth?
It is still a paradox.

When people go for sight viewing in forests, recreation, and tourism, they feel joy. But they never recognise the generational efforts that tribal communities at large have put in to preserve nature.

But when tribals try to assimilate into complex, larger society they are seldom welcomed, rather tribals and indigenous communities face discrimination. They are labeled primitive and even dehumanised.

Even in educational institutions most tribal students are questioned about their intellect and merit. When tribals revolt or protest, they were rediculed and even called Naxalites.

As an anthropologist, I would also critique the major Indian Anthropologists and ethnographers who generally have earned their degrees and completed their dissertations by carrying out their fieldwork in tribal areas but they have seldom dared to speak for them or raise their issues.

For them, discrimination is an issue of academic curiosity while for many it's a lived experience.They seem to leave the field as soon as they earn their credits and degrees.They neither have dared to create an impact upon their participant's life nor they have cared to bring change in society. Advocacy anthropology also seems to be a paper concept as you seldom find any such person raising their voice for people.

Even if someone tries to do s/he is often labelled ethnocentric. I would not blame the subject for it but people of privilege who have established an academic domination over discipline as a whole.

Tribals have been playing a significant role in environment conservation for centuries. They have a close relationship with nature and have developed sustainable practices that help them live in harmony with the environment. Here are some ways in which tribals contribute to environment conservation:

1. Forest Conservation: 

Tribals have been living in forests for generations, and they have a deep understanding of the ecosystem. They follow traditional practices like shifting cultivation, which involves clearing a small patch of land for cultivation and then moving on to another patch after a few years. This practice allows the forest to regenerate and maintain its biodiversity.

2. Wildlife Conservation: 

Tribals have a strong connection with wildlife and have developed traditional knowledge about animal behaviour, migration patterns, and habitat requirements. They follow strict rules and taboos to protect wildlife, which has helped in the conservation of many endangered species.

3. Water Conservation: 

Tribals have developed innovative water conservation techniques like building check dams, bunds, and ponds to collect rainwater. They also use traditional irrigation systems like the bamboo drip irrigation system, which helps in conserving water and improving soil fertility.

4. Sustainable Agriculture: 

Tribals practice organic farming and use natural fertilizers like cow dung, compost, and vermicompost. They also grow a variety of crops, which helps in maintaining soil fertility and biodiversity.

5. Ecotourism: 

Many tribal communities have started ecotourism initiatives that promote responsible tourism and help in generating income for the community. This has led to the conservation of many natural habitats and wildlife.

In conclusion, tribals have been practicing sustainable living for centuries, and their traditional knowledge and practices can play a vital role in environment conservation. It is essential to recognize their contribution and involve them in conservation efforts to achieve sustainable development and All environmentalists should care about them 

Environmental discourse remains incomplete without the inclusion of tribals and marginalized communities because they are the ones who have been working on a grass root level.

But the community is often left behind, there are concepts and theories like Eco-feminism that link the feminist perspectives with ecological conservation but no such efforts have been made to recognise the relationship between tribals and ecological surroundings.

When it comes to speaking for the environment everyone stands up to speak for the environment and seems nature protectors, but no one dares to speak for communities who live in direct contact with nature and depend upon the natural environment for their sustenance.

Environmental justice remains a distant dream without social justice.

Authored by: Jatin mathur 
Edited by: Ravi jonwar