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Van Gujjars, the forest dwelling nomadic tribals of Uttaranchal, have demanded that forest officials should take immediate steps to regularise the Van Gujjars settlements in the Proposed Rajaji Park and nearby areas. "If our legitimate rights are not fulfilled then we shall have no option but to take to the streets of Dehradun and demand for our rights," said Mastuq Lambardar, a Van Gujjar leader.
This demand comes in the wake of the directions issued by the Inspector General of Forests, vide letter no IGF/FC/2002 dated 30.10.2002, addressed to all Chief Secretaries, while clarifying the guidelines issued by the Ministry relating to regularisation of encroachments on forestlands. The letter states, " there is no change in the policy of the Ministry with regard to regularisation of pre-1980 eligible encroachments and the commitments with reference to forest tribal- interface on the disputed settlement claims." These guidelines are in direct compliance with the Articles 39 (B) and (C) of the Indian Constitution which are aimed towards suitable distribution of land and resources.
The community has also reminded the Congress Government in Uttaranchal to fulfil the promises that they had made to the Van Gujjars in their election manifesto. In this regard, the Van Gujjars have decided to meet the Chief Minister, in the first week of January. They have also warned the state government that in case the Congress fails to live up to the promises then the Van Gujjars will have no option but to appeal to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, the party chief, to take action against the errant politicians and bureaucrats of the state. There are also complaints against top forest officials as well as the politicians of illegally grabbing the forestland.
In this connection, it is important to note that in the preceding state assembly elections the Congress had specifically declared in its election manifesto that the traditional rights of the Van Gujjars shall be protected. "We expected that the Congress party would live up to its promises and would ensure that we get our legitimate rights, but even after almost a year in power they have done nothing for us," said Noor Alam, a Van Gujjars leader from Chillawali range.
Mr. Noor Alam, was addressing a two-day meeting of all the Van Gujjar leaders at Dehradun. At this meeting 60 Van Gujjar leaders from each Khol, both inside and outside the proposed Rajaji Park Area, and even from resettlement colonies of Gandikhata and Pathri were present. The purpose of this meeting was discuss the problems being posed to this tribal community by the forest officials and decides the future course of action.
Mr. Ghulam Hossain, representing those Van Gujjars settled in Pathri said that the Van Gujjars in Pathri are living in deplorable conditions. On behalf of all Van Gujjars in Pathri he warned the forest department that, "if the problems of Van Gujjars in Pathri are not solved by March 2003 then all of us would go back inside the forests and continue with our traditional lifestyle. I have already sent back my buffaloes and family in Motichur area of the proposed park." Other Van Gujjars from Pathri, present at the meeting, added that they had been coerced into going to Pathri and that none of those that have settled at Pathri is happy. They pointed out that this is in direct violation of a Consent order, dated 15/03/1999, by the NHRC, which states that "Van Gujjars can not be coerced to leave their forest habitat by the proposed park authorities to settle outside."
The Van Gujjar leadership present at this meeting also warned all politicians to refrain form poking their noses in the affairs of the community. " We all are aware of our rights and we also know how to fight for them. Politicians with dubious backgrounds and engaged in trades such as liquour are trying to act as spokespersons for us and fulfil their own vested interests. We want to tell such politicians that our community does not use any liquor so he cannot find the grazing ground in our community" Talib Pradhan, a Van Gujjar leader from Mohund, said.
Ghulam Nabi, another Khol Committee president, expressed his dissent against the resettlement plans of the government. According to him," If the government forces us to settle in a colony, we would be like wild animals in a cage. That animal will shrink day by day and in the end will die. The same thing will happen to the Van Gujjars."
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