Indigenous forests of central India are falling prey to bullets and bulldozers

Chhattisgarh in Tribal Hartland of India has been a subscription to violent conflict for more than 30 years. This struggle has a Maoist-inspired group called called NaxalitesThose who are fighting for the rights of marginalized tribal communities against the Government of India, which have deployed security forces to suppress extremism. More than 11,600 people Has been killed In struggle since 2000.

At the same time, Chhattisgarh is also struggling with rapid industrialization pressure. Mass mining And infrastructure projects are threatening both the land and livelihood of the state’s indigenous (or tribal) communities.

About 44% of the area is the land area Covered by dense forestsThese forests are home to important plants and animal species such as Mahua and Cell Trees. However, these forests are getting damaged. Trees are being destroyed by gunfire, animals are being killed by explosions, and delicate ecosystems that maintain people and wildlife in Chhattisgarh are slowly uprooted.

Sony SoriA tribal worker has shared images with me which is taken by Adivasis in the forests of Chhattisgarh. Photos highlight the damage caused by bullets, explosions and shelling.

The bullets tear through the bark, while the explosions remove it, causing the trees to fall into pests and disease. The waves of shrapnel and shock from the blasts also separate branches or tights, which further weakens trees and cause long -term damage.

The destruction of Mahua and cell trees has a particularly devastating effect on women of tribal communities.

Mahua tree, often called “tree of Life” By local people, provides an essential lifeline for many tribal women. Its flowers are fermented To make alcoholWhich provides an important source of income when sold in local markets.

When men are drawn into Naxal movements or caught in the state’s counter -efforts, women often use Mahua flowers and oil income to fund their children, maintain their families and repay the loan. .

In Dantewada city of southern Chhattisgarh, locals also perform a special ceremony where they “Marriage” The Mahua tree respects its life-liberation role in its community.

Cell trees, which produce the forest cover of Chhattisgarh a lot, play an important role in stabilizing the soil. Their loss causes erosion and increases Risk of flood And landslides. Climate changeAnd rapid irregular rainfall brings it, Reduced these risks,

The loss of essential resources such as Mahua’s trees will only increase food insecurity and economic difficulty, so that Adivasis can be extended in poverty. Average annual income Tribal houses in Chhattisgarh had just ₹ 53,610 (around £ 505) in 2022 – which was below the average of National Agricultural Domestic Average ₹ 122,616.

The conflict in Chhattisgarh is also harming the wildlife of the region. In December, A Female lethargy bear The forests of Dantewada were killed by an instantaneous explosive equipment planted by the Maoist rebels. Two orphan cubs of the bear were killed shortly after.

This was the first recorded death of a wild animal due to such an explosion in Bastar district, although livestock and pets have been victims of similar explosions in the past.

A month ago, in the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve of Central Chhattisgarh, five-year-old elephant calf Continuous significant injuries From a suspected bomb blast. These incidents reflect a disturbing pattern within the conflict, where wildlife is falling victim to violence.

Industrialization march

Industrialization has increased these challenges. Chhattisgarh is rich in mineral resources. Between 2023 and 2024, State produced About 50 million tonnes of limestone, 44 million tonnes of iron ore, and 1 million tonnes of boxite. However, broad mining is further promoting deforestation and environmental decline.

Between 2001 and 2023, the state lost 53,500 hectares of forestLarge -scale mining is a significant contribution to loss with operations. In Hasdeo region of North Chhattisgarh, Parsa East Kate Baseen Coal mine has led the Felting About 82,000 Trees spread over two stages of mining. Between 2012 and 2018, 50,000 trees fell, since then more than 31,800 trees were cut off.

with Constant political support For mineral extraction, Government approvalAnd the participation of commercial mining giants is expected to harvest more forests in the coming years.

This harvesting of forests damages the wildlife of this region. Latest census By the National Tiger Conservation Authority, which was done in 2022, revealed a sharp and dangerous decline in the tiger population of Chhattisgarh.

At that time, there were only 17 tigers left in the state – a dramatic decline from 46 in 2014. Protectionists fear that this figure may be even less, as the situation is deteriorating.

This decline is largely habitat destructionBut it’s probably worse Maoist rebel In regions such as northern Chhattisgarh, which is the home of Achanakamar Tiger Reserve, as well as Indravati Tiger Reserve in the southwest part of the state.

The rebellion has obstructed the efforts of protection. The use of explosives in the forests inhibit tiger behavior, while for protectionists makes their monitoring and safety more difficult.

Once a succulent and biodiversity environment was rapidly becoming a barren land. But the loss of these trees and wildlife in Chhattisgarh represents more than the lack of natural resources. This is a way of life for culture, identity and indigenous people of Chhattisgarh.

This article has been reinstated Conversation Under a Creative Commons License. read the Original article,