Introduction
Customary rights of forest-dwellers refer to the traditional rights and practices of indigenous and tribal communities over forest land and resources. These rights include grazing, collecting firewood, hunting, and gathering minor forest produce. Under British colonial rule, these customary rights came under serious threat due to the imposition of forest laws and commercialization of forest resources.
Colonial Forest Policies
The British introduced forest laws such as the Indian Forest Acts of 1865, 1878, and 1927, which declared large tracts of land as “reserved” or “protected” forests. These laws restricted access to forests and criminalized many traditional practices of forest-dwelling communities. The aim was to maximize timber extraction and regulate the use of forest resources for revenue and railway expansion.
Impact on Forest-Dwellers
- Tribal and forest-dwelling communities lost legal access to lands they had used for generations.
- Customary practices like shifting cultivation, grazing, and collection of produce were restricted or banned.
- Many communities were displaced or forced into wage labor under the forest department.
Resistance and Struggles
The denial of customary rights led to widespread resentment and resistance. Movements such as the Santhal and Munda uprisings were partly fueled by such injustices. Forest-dwellers protested against evictions, fines, and the monopolization of forest produce.
Conclusion
The suppression of customary rights under colonial forest policies marked a turning point in the marginalization of forest-dwelling communities. These issues continued post-independence and eventually led to the enactment of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 to restore justice and recognition to these communities.