De- and re-tribalisation

“The guiding principle is that no person who was not a Scheduled Tribe by birth will be deemed to be a member of Scheduled Tribe merely because he or she has married a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe. Similarly a person who is a member of a Scheduled Tribe would continue to be a member of that Scheduled Tribe, even after his or her marriage with a person who does not belong to a Scheduled Tribes. However, status of the children born out of such marriages would depend on the particular caste status of the father.” – National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
https://www.ncst.gov.in
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=33998

On protecting one’s unique culture and tradition while gaining access to education and “modern civilization”: Dambaru Sisha, the first MLA from the reclusive Bonda community – Odisha

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Priya Ranjan Sahu, Hindustan Times  Bhubaneswar, May 23, 2014 The Bondas, one of India’s most primitive tribes living in the remote hills of Odisha’s Malkangiri district, turned a new leaf on Friday. Dambaru Sisha, 34, took the oath of office as the first MLA from the reclusive tribes that remained untouched by civilization for centuries. … Read more

Video | “Walking is a form of dancing, and speech, a song”: An appeal by a Video Volunteer to include Adivasis’ rich heritage in holiday camps – Jharkhand

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To view this video on YouTube and learn more about Priyasheela’s appeal, click here >> For the Adivasis of Jharkhand, culture is their last bastion of hope. […] Community Correspondent Priyasheela is an Adivasi living in Ranchi. Priya, a mother of two, considers one of the biggest challenges while bringing up her kids, the task of ensuring that they have … Read more

Conserving the forest, medicinal plants, woods and wildlife of Bastar: Customs that reflect religious sentiments while achieving more – Chhattisgarh

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Rashmi Drolia, TNN | Jun 4, 2014, | To read the full story, click here>> RAIPUR: For tribals residing around Boma hill in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district in Bastar, it’s sin to climb or step up on this hill and doing so costs the offender Rs 500. In a unique style to conserve environment and pay respect to … Read more

An “unprecedented opportunity” presented at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples: Report on globally important ecosystem services – BBC News

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By Mark Kinver Environment reporter, BBC News, 19 September 2014 | To read the full article, click here >> Recognising the land rights of local people could provide cost-effective protection for many of the world’s tropical forests, a report says. But existing initiatives to tackle deforestation were poorly suited to deal with the issue, it added. … Read more

The peaceful agitation by Garo and Khasi communities: Challenging displacement and resenting the use of human exhibits in the name of “biodiversity conservation” – Bangladesh

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CLEARINGHOUSE FOR REVIEWING ECOTOURISM, No. 17 To read the full article, click here >> […] The following documents outline the severe ramifications of a governmental “eco-park” programme on ethnic minority groups and their forested hill habitats in Bangladesh. The controversial scheme has become a significant national issue as civil society organizations as well as a number … Read more