Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that no one in this country has the right to snatch away the land of the tribal community.
"It's the priority of our government to ensure that tribals get their right. No one has right to snatch away their lands," PM Modi said while inaugurating the first National Tribal Carnival in New Delhi.
The carnival will continue from October 26-28 at Pragati Maidan.
There are a total of 10.43 crore tribals in India constituting 8.6 per cent of total population of the country, according to the 2011 census.
India is home to about 300 main tribal groups, which differs from one another in customs, practices, traditions, faith, and languages.
PM Modi further said that the national capital Delhi feels delighted to welcome tribal community from all across the country.
"The capital is delighted to welcome people from tribal communities from all over India, that too during the festival season," the Prime Minister said.
He said through Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana – a central government scheme for holistic development of tribal belt – his government is reaching out to the tribals to address their concerns.
"Our tribal communities have faced difficulties but they have also been blessed with the ability to overcome those difficulties," he said.
There have been reports, however, of the forced relocation of tribes from core forest areas to buffer zones, mostly in Madhya Pradesh, which has maximum number of tribals.
Welcoming over 1,600 tribal artists and about 8,000 tribal delegates from across the country, Modi said he himself has worked in tribal-dominated areas.
Speaking of the rich contribution of the tribal communities to the nation, the Prime Minister said: "If there is someone who saved the forests, it is our tribal communities. Saving forests is part of tribal culture."
The three-day tribal carnival is being held to showcase the works and interaction with the eminent tribal personalities who have excelled in various fields like sports, arts and culture, literature, academic and medicine.
Special trains were booked to bring tribals to attend the carnival.
The events during the carnival will be a mix of live musical and dance performances, exhibitions, display of craft, fashion show, panel discussion and book fair.
(With IANS inputs)
