Measures sought for development of tribals

Warangal: Speedy measures are needed to improve the living standards of about eight million Adivasis living in different parts of AP, said Professor A Seetaram Naik, the state of president of All India Banjara Professors Association. He said that socioeconomic conditions of Adivasis are very pathetic and deplorable despite tall claims by the rulers. They are vulnerable and poorest of the poor in the country since majority of the tribals do not have land and employment.

Though the United Nations’ (UN) has declared August 9 as the ‘International Day of the World's Indigenous People’ to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population, the state and Central governments in India have taken no steps to follow it, he said. ‘Celebrating the event will help focus on the issue and problems related to the welfare of tribals,’ he opined speaking to The Hans India here on Thursday.

The event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people made to improve issues such as environmental protection, he added. Country liquor (gudumba) preparation has become a major menace among the tribal who took it up as home industry to generate income. This in turn has made the tribal addicted to the liquor and that made thousands of women, mainly of Lambada community, widows as the men died young. Recognizing the tribal hamlets with 500 population as gram panchayat would help to make tribals a part of the main stream.