Echoes of the Indian Adivasis and wildlife

Rosemary Thomas 25 March 2023

India is a diaspora of various cultures and communities of people. Since the time of civilization, there has been an immense transition of groups of people who migrated here during early inhabitation.

These people are called Adivasis, who have been living in India since 2000 BC. It’s from Sanskrit (which is a very old language in India, which has stood the test of time) from which the term ‘Adivasis’ was coined; meaning ‘early inhabitants’. Due to various government laws for development like the construction of dams, the emergence of eucalyptus plantations, unsustainable farming methods, and cutting down of trees to promote monoculture, the so-called’underprivileged’ Adivasi people had to displace from their earlier habitat to another for their survival.

In order for their sustenance, a large number of young Adivasis have migrated to both rural and urban areas, thereby, drifting away from their roots. While they are prone to forced migration, due to deforestation, the consequences to nature are an increase in the carbon footprint, resulting in global warming. Usually, trees consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, which is the elixir of life. When trees are cut, the so-called ‘carbon sinks’ disappears and a large amount of carbon dioxide will be released into the atmosphere, increasing the temperature of the lower atmosphere, and resulting in heating up the Earth. Since earlier times, they have been heavily dependent on forests for their livelihood and food.

Not only that they now lack their source of occupation, even after migrating to rural areas, due to their lack of agricultural skills, lack of education, etc, but they are also exploited and discriminated against at socio-economical levels. Even if they work really hard, their wages are menial and due to extreme heat, they lose their productivity. Thus, their health and hence, their cultural heritage are at stake.

Actually, Adivasis are also called the ‘Preservers of the forest’ because they treat the forest as their deity. They have the ancient wisdom of various trees, herbs, and shrubs which have medicinal value and could add to the quality of human life. Now, not only Adivasi people have faced terrible climatic change consequences, but animals also have.

During September and October, the Siberian Crane and the Greater Flamingos visit India for foraging and looking after their young ones. For the same reasons, mammals and insects also migrate (Kubelka V. et al). Ecosystem disruption due to various developmental activities have resulted in making it difficult for migratory animals to find their prey in spite of traveling long distances. This makes them exhausted and soon may result in their extinction.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, certain environmentalists and human activists have raised concerns and awareness at the socio-political and economical levels as the voice of the Adivasis which has hitherto resulted in their 1988 policy, as well as the Land and Forest Rights in 2006; which inherently has resulted in the betterment of animal lives due to their sustainable way of living or the ‘Adivasi way of living’.

Since the amicable lives of these people were affected by changing the rain pattern and the current lifestyle, it also meant that farmers shifted to cultivating paddy. To affix these issues, going back to the cultivation of native millet varieties - Finger (Ragi), Foxtail (Kakum or Kangni), Barnyard (Sanwa), Proso (Chena), and Pearl (Bajra) millets; which are climate-resilient ensures that sufficient nutrients are added to their diet.

If one wonders how Adivasi people can add income to the country’s economy, one such example is that of Aadhimalai Pazhangudiyinar Producer Company Limited (APPCL). At this company, Adivasi women sell honey, beeswax lip balms, soaps, pickles, and amla candies whereby these women have become entrepreneurs and leading by example by empowering women around the world.

The inclusion of Adivasis into the mainstream populace socio-economically and politically will be a value addition to a country like India, which will definitely enhance its cultural richness.

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