Coimbatore: Members of the Tamil Nadu Tribal People’s Association staged a protest before the Coimbatore district collectorate on Monday, condemning the eviction of tribal families from Megamalai forest region in Theni district and demanding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.N Natarajan, a member of the association, alleged that tribal communities who have lived in the region on their ancestral lands for generations are being branded as encroachers by the state and central governments. “Authorities should intervene immediately to prevent further evictions and protect the traditional rights and livelihoods of indigenous communities. They have been living there for centuries, and their livelihoods depend solely on the forest,” he said.Protesters also sought the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, which provides a framework for recognising the rights of forest-dwelling scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers over forest land and resources.“Government must stop evicting tribal families from their traditional habitats in the name of development and issue land pattas to eligible families living in the region. Govt should construct permanent houses for displaced tribal families, through the joint efforts of the Union and state governments,” Natarajan said.The association further urged authorities to ensure comprehensive rehabilitation for families who have been displaced and take steps to safeguard their access to ancestral land and forest resources, which are closely linked to their livelihoods.Protesters submitted their demands to the Coimbatore district administration and appealed to the government to take immediate measures to protect the rights of tribal communities in Megamalai and prevent further displacement.
