2005 - Indian Social Institute

Tawa Reservoir for nearly a decade. (The Hindu 25/5/05)
Forest ministry raps tribal rights Bill (6)
Bhopal, May 28: SHARING THE concern of environmentalists and foresters, the Union ministry of
environment and forest (MoEF) has opposed the enactment of the proposed Tribal Rights Bill.
According to a note prepared by the MoEF, a copy of which is with HT, the ministry has said that there is
no need for a fresh legislation as sufficient provisions exist under the Forest Conservation Act 1980 and
the guidelines issued in 1990. What is required is modification of the orders of the Supreme Court
regarding stay on de-reservation of forests and regularisation of eligible categories of encroachments. The
ministry is of the view that the proposed Bill, requiring de-notification of forest land and elimination of all
legal protection for forest cover, will lead to irreparable ecological damage. It says that decimation of
forests, as a result of enactment of the proposed Act, will likely lead to frequent and intense natural
calamities. And that biological diversity, wildlife and the natural resource base for maintenance of carbon,
nitrogen and oxygen cycles will also be affected adversely and irreparably. While conceding that
non-recognition of traditional rights of tribals over their ancestral domain constitutes a "historic injustice" to
them, it has said that the proposed Bill won't necessarily be of benefit to tribals in the long run. The
ministry feels the whole issue needs to be looked at from the perspective of ecological science, equity and
overall costs to society. (The Hindu 29/5/05)
Mizo Jews from Lost Tribe (6)
Kolkata,May 31:For almost a thousand-odd years, certain tribes in north-eastern India have held that they
belong to that elusive group called the "Lost Tribes of Israel." And now, in a startling discovery, a scientific
study into the genetic origin of these tribes have established them as two of 10 lost tribes. The study
conducted at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Kolkata proves that Indian Mizo tribes Kuki and
Hinar are indeed descendants of two lost tribes. The test results have been put up in a scientific online
journal "Genome Biology." Sources on condition of anonymity briefed that to determine the genetic
lineage, scientists at the CFSL conducted DNA analyses of five tribal groups: Kuki, Hmar, Mara, Lai and
Lusei. The study, spanning six months, focused mainly on three parameters: autosomal DNA testing (cells
obtained from the body other than reproductive cells), mitochondria! DNA testing (to determine the
maternal heritage) and Y-chromosomal testing (to determine the paternal heritage). The genetic profiles
were then compared with other related world populations to trace the lineage. The study clearly suggests
that the Kuki tribe owes its origins to a few Jewish women. However, "the subsequent genetic admixture
with the surrounding population diluted the present day gene pool or some significant epidemiological
events might be the cause of this finding." Sources added that the Mizo group claimed their Jewish origins
by citing purely oral traditions and a number of social customs practised exclusively by the Jews. The
Hmars' argument was strengthened by its observance of only three festivals in a year — Chapchar Kut,
Mim Kut and Paul Kut — all traditional festivals of the Jewish. (Asian Age 1/6/05)
Ghising demands tribal status for Darjeeling hills (6)
Siliguri: GORKHA NATIONAL Liberation Front (GNLF) chief Subhas Ghising has demanded tribal status
for Darjeeling Hills if his original demand for a separate state of "Gorkhaland" could not be conceded by
the government. "The declaration of Darjeeling as a tribal area will foster greater unity among the
Gorkhas. This will also be a step forward for Gorkhaland," Ghising, who is currently caretaker
administrator of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, after its term expired on March 25, told reporters at
Rohini last evening. On March 23, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee told the
Assembly that Ghising would be the sole administrator of DGHC after the expiry of its term. The decision
had been taken to avoid any confrontation in the hills in view of the situation hi neighbouring Nepal, he had
said, adding that it had been taken in consultation with the Centre. Ghising, heading the hill body since its
inception in 1988 had demanded that he be made the caretaker of DGHC after the expiry of its term. After
the Darjeeling Accord was signed in 1988, Ghising had refrained from raising the demand for Gorkhaland.
The state government on March 14 passed the Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council (Amendment)
Bill, for appointment of an administrator to the hill body or for constituting a board of administrators till the
next elections. (Pioneer 7/6/05)
Protest mounting over failure to book accused in rape case (6)