Equity and Bioresources

Abstract

"Recently, raising a slogan of 'human rights, equity and social justice,' a pressure group institgated some tribals to clear the rich forests for cultivation. They wanted the rights of local people to forest land and trees to be left unregulated. The alien ideology that militated against the traditional social values and systems resulted in violence and open conflicts. In an attempt to address the situation a campaign to mobilise people to find peaceful and better options was initiated. The effort stimulated the people to think constructively. It also raised questions about the efficacy of democratic ways of development and the continued dependability of traditional values. This was probably a case of searching for equity among the deprived people at the cost of community resources that sustained them. Obvious along with reorienting the present forestry practices, there is an urgent necessity to organise and strengthen the common people, to prepare them to seek equity and justice with responsibility, in the sensitive areas of living resources."