City youth rally round indigenous people over livelihood issues

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru:

Young people in Beng aluru have expressed their solidarity with indigenous people demanding their rights as part of Project Tiger at 50. The youth gathered at the Indian Social Institute where 'Fridays For Future Karnataka' had organised film screenings, which showed the suppression of the livelihoods and rights of indigenous people in the country Project Tiger started 50 years ago and has been celebrated as a successful conservation initiative in India, but indigenous people living in tiger reserves have a different story to tell.

They have accused the project of greenwashing human rights violations, forced evictions, and erasure of their way of life. The forest community's call for their rights has led to the formation of a Community Network Against Protected Areas (CNAPA), which has urged organizations across India to stand in solidarity with them. Collectives, including the All Indian Students Association, FFF Kamataka, Let India Breathe, and the AIMSU have organized film screenings, reflection circles, and online campaigns in support of the cause.