This is a specific case of complaints

The indigenous people not only owned the land, they also nurtured the trees and looked after them for the last two decades. If they don't have the rights to the profits, then who does? To top it off, cases have been initiated against some members of the ethnic tribes by the forest department. Some principles are involved here: first, the land-use right of ethnic communities stands flouted. Secondly, a promise given to the indigenous people has apparently been reneged on. Thirdly, the aims and objects of a social forestry project seem to have been defeated.

We want an early investigation into the matter not only to assuage the feelings of the tribal people that their allegations have been taken seriously but also to redress their grievances with utmost priority. We cannot allow our image to be tarnished by any raw deal given to our indigenous people by any quarters. All their anxieties must be allayed so that they feel cared for.

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