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

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

Apatani tattoos in a global context: A custom that preceded modern fashion by centuries – Arunachal Pradesh

Sanghamitra Baruah, Times Crest, 12 June 2010, June 12, 2010 Centuries before rockstars and celebrities, tattoos were used by tribal men and women across the world, whether it was the Maoris of New Zealand or the Apatanis of Arunachal Pradesh, to mark out identity and territory. […] While body art is a fashion statement for Michi, … Read more

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

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

Let indigenous people decide their own future and that of their environment: Ramon Magsaysay Award 2014 for Butet Manurung – Indonesia

Manasi Mathkar, The Hindu, Sunday Magazine, September 20, 2014 | To read the full interview, click here >> Butet Manurung, winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2014, talks about her work with Indonesia’s indigenous tribes and why she chose to start a school in the jungle. Saur Marlina Manurung, better known as Butet Manurung, is an … 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

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