RRI Review of Forest Tenure Legislation

With increased attention to forest conservation, especially in the context of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), issues of tenure insecurity of Indigenous Peoples in forest areas are increasingly recognised. Despite this attention, there has been little comprehensive information on legislation and policy to address these challenges. To address this gap, the Rights and Resources Initiative has produced a review of national legislation related to Indigenous Peoples’ forest tenure rights in 27 nations. The countries reviewed are home to 2.2 billion rural people and include as much as 75% of the developing world’s forest cover. 

The review reveals that there has been a dramatic increase in legislation that recognises rights since 1992, as well as a significant increase in the amount of land owned or controlled by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Unfortunately, these advances have failed to reach the majority of forest communities, especially in Africa. The review also finds that there is a significant gap between formal legislation and actual implementation. 

Download the full report here. Read the Rights and Resources Initiative’s introduction to the research here.

Kukula Healers on German Prime Time News

Natural Justice partners and members of the African Biocultural Community Protocol Initiative Kukula Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Bushbuckridge, South Africa, were recently featured on ARD, Germany's largest public television broadcaster. Kukula’s chairperson was interviewed by reporters from the prime time Tagesthemen news programme. He shared how traditional healers in South Africa hold a wealth of traditional knowledge and are organising themselves to prevent the illegal use of their knowledge. They will share their knowledge, but only under the right conditions with meaningful access and benefit sharing. 

The interview can be found here and runs from 25:33-28:21.

FPIC and REDD in the DRC

Gino Cocchiaro of Natural Justice took part in meetings on free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) hosted by The Forest Dialogue and Forest Peoples Programme from 21-25 May. The meeting consisted of a visit to Luki Biosphere Reserve in the far west of the country to meet with members of the communities of Kiobo and Kifulu who will likely be involved in REDD projects. Participants also dialogued with members of the Ministry of Environment and representatives of industry, civil society and indigenous and local communities. During the dialogue representatives were able to make recommendations and collaboratively plan the implementation of FPIC in REDD to ensure the participation of forest communities in the country’s projects. 

Holding the second largest rainforest in the world after the Amazon, 58% of DRC is covered by tropical rainforest. However, it is expected that deforestation will increase substantially to support DRC’s growing infrastructure, farming and mining developments. REDD has now become a major strategic issue in the country with approximately 500 million USD expected to flow into the country. Only a small amount of this amount has been dedicated towards consultation and participation of communities living in and utilizing the forests.

The Forest Dialogue's background paper on FPIC and REDD+ in the DRC can be downloaded here.

India’s Bob Dylan comes to Mumbai

At 65, Lou Majaw is a busy man. After wrapping his celebrated Bob Dylan tribute concert in Shillong recently, Majaw is now gearing up to sing his favourite songs in Mumbai, before he heads to Delhi to perform at the World Music Festival. “There are some concerts in Mizoram as well. It’s a jam-packed schedule, but that’s the fun of it,” he says.

As he does every year (he’s been at it since 1972), the Shillong man has been working hard to put together a concert celebrating his icon’s birth anniversary. And for Dylan’s 71st birthday, Majaw made sure the festivities were way beyond the usual — encompassing artistes from the North-East to Mumbai’s Whirling Kalapas and even American acts like Parker Ainsworth, Jeff Harding and Skyi. The Dylan devotee says, “It was a three-day affair. This concert is my way of showing respect to one of the greatest lyricists of all times.”

After over four decades of playing covers, ask him if he will ever tire of Dylan’s songs and Majaw says, “I can’t. His songs have poetic value that is hard to get weary of.” It is such madcap devotion that has earned him the moniker, India’s Bob Dylan.

Known for his signature short shorts and long, silver mane that could give Axl Rose and his kilt a run for his money, the veteran rocker has won many fans not so much for his vocal prowess but for his showmanship, stage antics and swagger. However, he insists he is no rock star: “I’m just a simple guy with no big dreams.”

He may have a documentary on his life and umpteen mentions in international publications, but Majaw chooses to remain ignorant of his star status. Ask him about his recent concert being aired on national television this time and he says, “I don’t know much. Some guys from Big CBS Spark attended it, so I said why not! I’m not interested in marketing myself… I just want to have fun on stage and do my own thing.”

And like his idol, who recently celebrated 50 years of music making, Majaw too is gearing up for his golden jubilee. “I’ll complete 50 years in music in 2015, so I’m working on a compilation of my original songs. I’ve already recorded eight of them, but it will take time to finalise the record.”

About his gig in the city, the Khasi (a tribe from the North-East) singer says, “It will be a mixed set with everything from blues to rock ‘n’ roll. And yes, definitely some Dylan songs since this month calls for his celebrations. I might also play some Khasi folk music.” Lou Majaw and Friends will perform at Blue Frog, Lower Parel, on May 31, 10 pm. Entry Rs. 300.

Border dispute: Assam may provide documents to Meghalaya

Shillong: Assam said it will respond in black and white to lay claim on the 12 areas of difference along the interstate border with Meghalaya following which the chief secretary-level talks will be convened again, official sources said today.
The assurance was made by Assam chief secretary NK Das during the chief secretary(CS) -level talks held on Thursday in Guwahati.

Securing the area. Reuters

“Assam will respond shortly to the 12 areas of difference in the interstate border of Assam and Meghalaya after which another CS-level meet will be held,” Meghalaya chief secretary WMS Pariat said in Shillong.
Pariat said that any claim made by either side beyond the constitutional boundary will have to be supported by documents and should be in black and white.
The high level talks has also decided that there should be a co-ordinated approach towards reducing tension in conflict areas including Langpih besides others.
The DGPs and other senior home officials of both the states participated in the talks besides the deputy commissioners of Kamrup and West Khasi Hills district.
On the skirmishes that erupted at Langpih, Khanduli and Khanapara recently, Pariat said he cannot rule out the involvement of vested interests on both sides of the border.
Both chief secretaries have agreed on coordination at all level of governance and also at the grassroot level to reduce tension and focus on development works on both sides of the two states.
Pariat, however, said, local level mechanism would be explored and different communities will be consulted for undertaking developmental works but on consultation by local deputy commissioners.
Terming the high level meet as “good and conducive for development”, Pariat said the next CS-level meeting is expected to be held within a month or two to find out solution how to end the decades-old border dispute.

Meghalaya mountaineer climbs Mount Everest

In a first for Meghalaya, mountaineer Gary Jarman Lamare has successfully scaled Mt Everest, the highest peak in the Himalayas.

Lamare climbed the 8848 m peak in the early hours yesterday along with members of the Indian Army adventure wing, officials said here said.

He is credited with being the first civilian from India to scale the Cho Oyu peak in China, the 6th highest peak of the world at 8201 m on May 2006.

Earlier he had accompanied the Army Adventure Wing as high altitude cameraman on an assault on Mt Kanchenjunga, during post monsoon in 2004, which however, had to be abandoned due to bad weather.

Workshop on BCPs, UNDRIP and MEAs

On 24 May during the 13th Congress of the International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE), Holly Shrumm and Harry Jonas (Natural Justice) contributed to a full-day workshop on biocultural community protocols (BCPs), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and multilateral environmental agreements. The workshop was hosted by the ISE Global Coalition for Biocultural Diversity as part of the Congress' Indigenous Forum. Organized by the Global Coalition's Co-Chairs, Alejandro Argumedo (Asociación ANDES) and Krystyna Swiderska (International Institute for Environment and Development, IIED), the day included a range of speakers, including: Viviana Figueres (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity), Pierre du Plessis (Centre for Research-Information-Action for Development in Africa, CRIAA), Maui Solomon (Hokotehi Moriori Trust), Ilse Kohler-Rollefson (League for Pastoral Peoples), and Brendan Tobin (Irish Centre of Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Galway). Natural Justice presented on the community protocols website and toolkit.

The workshop concluded with a discussion among participants, during which there was general consensus that: a) BCPs offer a practical way for communities to articulate their “territoriality” (Argumedo, in conversation), affirm their responsibilities and assert their rights; b) BCPs should be recognized appropriately by a range of actors; c) BCPs should not be considered a panacea; and d) there is a risk that BCPs could become standardized or driven by external parties, thus undermining local processes.

A report of the workshop is available from IIED here. More information about the use of BCPs is explored in a forthcoming issue of IIED's Participatory Learning and Action Journal, entitled "Biodiversity and Culture: Exploring community protocols, rights and consent".

Meghalaya pledges to protect biodiversity

SHILLONG, May 24 – Meghalaya yesterday pledged to protect its threatened biodiversity both for ecological as well as economic security.

The pledge was made while celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity here at the U Soso Tham Auditorium. The Day is commemorated to increase awareness and understanding of issues related to biodiversity.

Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong said that every individual must contribute in safeguarding the fragile biodiversity of the State which is under threat.

“The time has come for each and every individual to take this pledge to conserve bio-diversity, both for ecological balance and economic security,” he said at the function attended by officials and students.

The Minister said that Meghalaya’s biodiversity has been disappearing rapidly due to a number of reasons. “Meghalaya’s biodiversity is under threat due to deforestation, habitat destruction, mining, jhum cultivation and encroachment, which may put the next generation in a catastrophic situation,” Tyngsong said.

Although Meghalaya has a rich and diverse biodiversity, some of its natural resources are under threat largely due to the unscientific mining industry. Some of the water bodies in Jaintia Hills district have turned acidic due to seepage of acidic content from coal and limestone industry.

The Government is trying to bring in a mining policy to do away with the traditional unscientific mining, but due to pressure from the local mining industry the policy has not been adopted so far.

Meghalaya teachers threaten agitation

Shillong, May 24 : School teachers in Meghalaya today set a one-week deadline for the state government to release their salary, pending since January this year, failing which they threatened to agitate. The threat came in the wake of the state government failure to keep their promise to disburse salaries to teachers on a monthly basis last year. "After going through a tremendous hardship due to the failure of the government to live up to its promises, we have decided to give a one-week deadline to the government to fulfil our demand," E D Nongsiang, president of the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association, told reporters. He said the failure of the government to release the salary of higher secondary school teachers by May end will force the teachers to intensify their protests. The state government had, through the directorate of school education and literacy, issued a notification to release the salary of deficit school teachers be disbursed on a monthly basis in July last year. Upping their ante, the teachers have also decided to organise a state-wide meet next month to chalk out their agitational strategies to put pressure on the government to release all sums due. At present there are 17 higher secondary schools run under the deficit system of the government having more than 185 both teaching and non-teaching staff.

Focus on P A Sangma in President race

SHILLONG: Two decades after veteran scholar-turned-politician George Gilbert Swell, then Rajya Sabha member from Meghalaya, lost the fight for Raisina Hills, the name of yet another well-known and revered personality from the hill state is doing the rounds for the highest position in the country.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A'gitok Sangma, who is currently a member of Meghalaya assembly from the Tura constituency, has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the President's post with a conglomerate of tribal bodies, besides heavyweight politicians like Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, backing his candidature.

Though there has been a mixed response in the political circles here to Sangma's bid for the top position so far, observers say his "tribal card" could turn out to be crucial. The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee has been quick to distance itself from the NCP leader's ambitions, with the Congress and the NCP being at loggerheads as principal ruling and opposition parties respectively in the assembly.

On July 24, 1992, the Election Commission held indirect 10th presidential elections with Shankar Dayal Sharma securing 675,864 votes, defeating his nearest rival GG Swell who got 346,485 votes. The top two candidates were Shankar Dayal Sharma, put forth by Indian National Congress and BJP/National Front candidate George Gilbert Swell, member of Rajya Sabha from Meghalaya.

Swell was a formidable force behind the peaceful Hill State Movement that culminated in the statehood of Meghalaya. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Autonomous Districts Lok Sabha constituency in 1962, 1967 and 1971 and from Shillong Lok Sabha constituency in 1984 and 1996.

He was the deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha from December 9, 1969 to December 27, 1970 in 4th Lok Sabha and again from March 27, 1971 to January 18, 1977.

Swell, who passed away in 1999, had also served as India's ambassador to Norway and Burma.

This time, the focus in the run up to the presidential polls is on Sangma, by far the best known political face from the northeast.

Meghalaya KSU for more forces on interstate border

Shillong: The influential Khasi Students Union on Tuesday demanded that the Meghalaya government deploy more forces along the interstate border with Assam to protect residents from harassment.

"The state government should deploy additional police forces along the interstate border particularly at Langpih in West Khasi hills and Khanapara in Ri-Bhoi district," KSU President Daniel Khyriem said.

"Security of the people living in the border areas should be the top priority of the government irrespective of the government to government talks which is being taken up," he said.

Condemning the dismantling of a community hall by Assam government officials on May 19, the KSU alleged that the Assam government was flexing its muscles in border areas.

Road repair was stopped at Khanduli on May 20 and recently an Assam police outpost had come up at Khanapara in Ri-Bhoi district, the KSU leader said.

Khyriem demand that the police outpost be removed.

Meghalaya and Assam have 12 areas of difference along the inter-state border and the matter got worse in May 2010 when four youths from Meghalaya were shot dead by Assam police during a clash at Langpih.

Meghalaya had adopted a resolution urging the Centre to constitute a border commission which was rejected by Assam government.

Remembering Darrell Posey: Traditional Resource Rights Today

Darrell Posey with Kayapo children in the late 1970s

(Courtesy: University of Oxford)

On 21 May in Montpellier, France, Holly Shrumm and Harry Jonas (Natural Justice) hosted a session at the 13th Congress of the International Society of Ethnobiology entitled “Remembering Darrell Posey: Traditional Resource Rights Today”. Posey helped organize the World Conference of Indigenous Peoples on Territory, Environment and Development in parallel to the UN Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, making the 20th anniversary of that meeting an opportune moment to reconsider the issues. Posey then went on to develop traditional resource rights, which he described as an integrated rights concept that recognizes the “inextricable link between cultural and biological diversity and sees no contradiction between the human rights of Indigenous and local communities, including the right to development and environmental conservation".

Part I of the session included the following speakers: Alejandro Argumedo (Asociación ANDES and Co-chair of the ISE Global Coalition on Biocultural Diversity), Juliana Ferraz da Rocha Santilli (Ministério Público do Distrito Federal), Vincenzo Lauriola (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazonia), and Ana Luiza Assis (Federal University of Catarina Brazil). During the first session, the following people also spoke about Darrell Posey: David Stephenson (ISE President), Maui Solomon (Hokotehi Moriori Trust, New Zealand), Christine Kabuye (Makerere University, Uganda), and Kelly Bannister (University of Victoria, Canada).

Part II of the session brought together the presenters and a number of Darrell Posey Fellows to discuss the paradox presented by the contrast between the range of international and national instruments that on the one hand support Indigenous peoples' and local communities' rights to govern their lands and natural resources, and the continued denial of these rights at the local level on the other. The Fellows included: Cheatlom Ang (Cambodia), Amay Mantangkilan Cumatang (Agtulawan, Philippines), Joaquin Carrizosa (Colombia), Daniel Salau Rogei (Maasai, Kenya), Leigh Joseph (Salish Nation, Canada), Gabrielle Legault (Métis, Canada), and Johannes Henricus de Beer (Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme). Thanks to all of the presenters, the Darrell Posey Fellows, Darrell's friends, and Mary Stockdale, Co-Chair of the Darrell Posey Fellowship, for their contributions to the session.

UEBT Publication on Biocultural Dialogues

The Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT) has released a new publication documenting UEBT’s experience with biocultural dialogues in access and benefit sharing. The publication is based on experiences from three case studies in Madagascar, Brazil and Peru where local communities and member companies of UEBT were supported in engaging in biocultural dialogues by Natural Justice, UEBT and GIZ. 

The publication highlights the importance of community reflection in grounding biocultural dialogues. It then articulates how communities, local suppliers, international companies and other actors can be engaged in the dialogues. UEBT is considering how biocultural dialogues can be used by communities and companies engaging in ethical biotrade and is developing a training manual to guide further biocultural dialogues by members. 

The full publication can be downloaded here. A report on the review meeting of the biocultural dialogue partnership between UEBT, Natural Justice and GIZ can be found here.

Sangma hopeful of NDA support

NEW DELHI, May 22 : Presidential candidate PA Sangma is hopeful of securing the support of the NDA.

Talking to newsmen, Sangma, whose candidature has been supported by Chief Ministers of Odissa and Tamil Nadu, Naveen Patnaik and J Jayalalitha, said that the BJP is likely to take up the issue at its Mumbai meeting later this week.

He has urged the BJP Speaker of Assam to help him in this regards and press upon the Party’s Central leadership to endorse his candidature. The NDA is expected to meet in New Delhi after the national executive of BJP to decide on its candidate.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker also appealed to North East MP’s Forum support his candidature cutting across political lines. The MPs of Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram have already extended their support.

However, the appeal is unlikely to cut much ice, as smaller regional parties like AGP and AIUDF are waiting to see which way the wind blows. BPF an ally of Congress though is clear about supporting the Congress nominee. Rajya Sabha MP Biswajeet Daimary, when asked replied that they are not going to support Sangma’s candidature.

Instead of pushing his own case, he should have tried to prevail upon the ruling UPA to evolve a consensus on selecting a tribal candidate for the highest Constitutional post, said the Bodo MP.

Meanwhile, Sangma said Union Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee was too capable for the post and it would be a waste to talent for him to be elected as President.

Workshop for Emerging Ethnobiologists

From 17-20 May, Holly Shrumm and Harry Jonas (Natural Justice) attended the 2nd Workshop for Emerging Ethnobiologists in Gites-de-Briandes, France, which took place ahead of the 13th Congress of the International Society of Ethnobiology. As part of the 3-day workshop, they presented on a number of legal and policy frameworks relevant to ethnobiology and facilitated a group role play that explored the relationships and dynamics between communities and researchers. In the discussion, participants largely agreed that there is a lack of knowledge among researchers about the laws and voluntary codes that regulate research, as well as about appropriate ways to engage communities according to their values, customary laws, and priorities. After the role play, it was felt that community protocols may be one useful method to improve the dialogue and help ensure that research is conducted and used in fair and equitable ways. For more information, please see: www.community-protocols.org.

Drinks to be dearer in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has approved a proposal to hike license fees of different categories of alcohol outlets in the state to generate additional revenue of up to Rs 1.22 crore annually.

The cabinet approved the proposal to hike the license fees of bonded warehouses, bottling plants, retail shops and bars in view of the Rs 148-crore target set by the state finance department for the current fiscal, excise minister Abu Taher Mondal told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

"Last year, the target set for the department was to generate Rs 124.42 crore, and the total collection was Rs 129.12 crore," he said.

The annual license fees for bottling plants has been raised from Rs 1,10,000 to Rs 1,35,000 and license fees for Indian Made Foreign Liquor retail outlets was raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000.

The excise minister also said license fees for bars have been approved to be raised from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000.

The cabinet has also approved the service rules for three directorates of the education department.

The service rules have been approved by the cabinet for the directorate of higher and technical education (DHTE), the directorate of educational research and training (DERT) and the directorate of school education and literacy (DSEL).

Education minister R C Laloo said the approved rules will replace the office memorandum which the department followed. He expressed hope that the functioning of the education department would be smoothened in matters relating to promotions, filling up of vacancies and regulation of teachers' training in the state.

REDD+ Side Event at Bonn Climate Talks

Natural Justice partner the Global Forest Coalition participated in a side event to the Bonn Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, on 17 May, focused on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+). The event, titled “Contradictions in the Bioeconomy: REDD+, bioenergy and alternative biocultural approaches,” included panellists from Biofuelwatch, Econexus, and the Secretariat to the Environment, Paraguay.

Meghalaya asks farmers to take up livestock farming

Sohra, May 20 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today suggested farmers living at the southern slope of the state and those with similar soil and harsh climatic conditions to take up livestock farming to improve food security and the economic livelihood of the people. Mukul was addressing at a farmers' festival titled 'Technological options in livelihood security for the tribal farmers' organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) here. As an introductory offer to the farmers, the Chief Minister handed over to farmers, a pair of Emu birds besides piglets, fingerlings, poultry birds and horticultural seeds. The flightless birds were brought all the way from Switzerland and are renowned for their resistance to diseases and can survive in harsh climatic condition, he said. Asserting that his government is trying its level to make 'farming and living in rural areas' more attractive, Mukul said, "We have identified various development and livelihood programmes to, side by side, uplift the economic standard and increased food security in the state. “Good economy is to ensure that people have better per capita income which in turn increase gross domestic product (GDP). Its only when we stabilize our economy then will can achieve sustainable growth”, he said. In view of the increasing population, the Chief Minister said it is necessary to increase productivity and food production. Pointing out that a lot advanced technologies linked to agriculture are being taken up, he said these are done to make farming an attractive profession for youths in the state.

Authorities mull lifting curfew in W Garo hills

Shillong: Authorities in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya are considering lifting of the curfew imposed in the plain areas after the situation was fast returning to normal, officials said on Saturday.

Curfew was clamped on May 8 in Phulbari, Rajabala, Bhaitbari, Singhimari and adjoining areas bordering Assam’s Dhubri district after communal text messages were sent out inciting communal violence.

While the curfew was relaxed during the day from 6 am to 7 pm in view of the improved law and order situation at present, officials said night curfew was still in force.

"We are meeting next week to review the situation before curfew can be lifted from the affected areas," West Garo Hills district Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi told a news agency.

He said the situation in curfew-bound areas was completely normal and the curfew could be lifted within two to three days.

The police have picked up trouble-mongers even as the district authorities have issued advisories to all political leaders, legislators and MPs to stay away from the curfew-bound areas.

Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with the Centre

Shillong, May 20 : The issue of child soldiers being used by militant outfits in Meghalaya and Manipur would be taken up with the Centre by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. "We will take suo moto cognisance and raise the issue with the union home secretary and seek appropriate actions in this regard," Commission member Yogesh Dube told reporters here after reviewing the status of child rights in Meghalaya today. Terming the matter of child soldiers as 'serious', he said the Government should ensure that action is taken at all levels to ensure that children be given their rights to life, education and health services. Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) in Meghalaya has been recruiting children in its fold and more than a hundred of them are at its camps in the jungle in Garo Hills, Meghalaya police said. In trouble-torn Manipur several militant organisations reportedly having children as soldiers. The Commission said senior concerned officers in Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur would be pulled up for violation of child rights.

Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd claims to be complying with environmental norms

SHILLONG: Cement giant, Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd (LCS) which is extracting limestone from Meghalaya for its cement plant in Bangladesh, today claimed that it was adhering to and complying with top environmental norms in its mines here as adopted by the company in its operations in top European countries.

"We are following top enviromental norms in our operations here as adopted by the company operation elsewhere in Europe, (Spain, France...)," Lafarge Surma Cements Ltd (LCS) CEO Tarek Elba told reporters here.

According to the CEO, the environmental norms adhered to was important for sustainable development of the area in which the company has its operations.

As per the enviromental norms, the company said it would replace the 935 trees from the mining sites with 4,00,000 trees within a 20 year span in the state.

An amount of Rs 3 crore had been released to the government of Meghalaya for the purpose, N Sharma, Vice President, Lafarge Umiam Mining Pvt Ltd (LUMPL) said.

The LUMPL has been mining limestone at its 935 ha mine and transports raw limestone through a 17 km long conveyor belt to the LSC plant in Chatak in Bangladesh since 2005.

While the company was forced to stop its mining activities in 2007 pending environmental clearance from the Centre, the Supreme Court permitted it to resume operations in July last year.

The permission was given subject to the company's fulfilment of certain conditions in the area of Net Present Value, fulfilment to the Special Purpose Vehicle and Compensatory Afforestation.

African Indigenous Peoples Declaration on Rio +20

Via www.mpido.org

A gathering of indigenous African communities adopted the Declaration of Indigenous Peoples of Africa on Sustainable Development and Rio +20 in Arusha, Tanzania on 19 April 2012. The gathering was convened by Mainyoto Pastoralist Integrated Development Organisation (MPIDO), a Natural Justice partner in the Africa Biocultural Protocol Initiative. 

The declaration focuses on two themes; the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and the institutional framework for sustainable development and governance. The declaration emphasises the significant contributions that indigenous peoples in Africa and beyond can contribute to finding sustainable solutions through ‘reflecting traditional knowledge and ways of living.’ 

A summary of the declaration can be found here. The full declaration can be found here.

Meghalaya CM wants nodal officer to assist students

CHANDIGARH: Days after "suicide" of his niece Dana Silva Sangma in Gurgaon, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma has demanded appointment of a nodal officer, preferably a woman, to assist the northeast students in case of any problem in Haryana.

Dana, a management student at Amity University, committed suicide after she was allegedly humiliated for cheating in the exam on April 24.

Around a week after the incident, Sangma wrote a letter to Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, saying: "Tribal students from northeast studying in institutes of Haryana have a very fragile support structure to rely upon since their families live far away," The Meghalaya chief minister underlined the importance of administrative support such students.

Sangma has sought land to construct a hostel for these students in Gurgaon, and maintained that Gurgaon and Manesar have emerged as education hubs. He said the education institutes need to understand cultural diversity in the country. Sangama has demanded a CBI probe in the incident.

Par nod to bill for High Courts in Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura

A bill seeking to set up separate High Courts in Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura was today passed by Parliament.

The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012, will pave way for creation of High Courts in the three north-eastern states by amending the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.

At present, the three states have benches under the Gauhati High Court.

Once the new High Courts are established, the number of High Courts in the country will go up from 21 to 24.

According to the Financial Memorandum of the Bill, the expenditure on establishment of the three HCs, including recurring expenditure, has been and will be borne by the respective state governments.

As of now, all the seven Northeastern states come under the jurisdiction of the Gauhati High Court with separate benches in Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur.

Replying to the discussion on the bill, Home Minister P Chidambaram said, "I am deeply concerned over the delays in delivery of justice."

He said the total approved strength of judges in the 21 High Courts is 895 with 260 posts lying vacant meaning that there was less than one judge for every one million people.

He expressed happiness that the bill was paying attention to the Northeastern region which was generally "on the periphery of our sight" leading to a sense of alienation among the people of the region.

Fresh notice to students

Shillong, May 16 : The Meghalaya health and family welfare department has issued fresh reminders to eight state-sponsored MBBS students who have refused to join the state health services after completing their studies.

The health department had executed bonds of Rs 25 lakh each to state-sponsored MBBS students on the condition that they should serve in any rural area of the state for a minimum of five years.

The bond amount was hiked from time to time keeping in mind that nearly 108 MBBS students had in the past failed to report back to the health department after completing their studies.

A notice issued by the state health and family welfare department today named eight MBBS students from 2000 to 2004 batches, who had failed to join the state health services.

They are Moumita Acharjee from Hawakhana, Tura, West Garo Hills, Manish Kumar Mathur from the headquarters of the director-general of Assam Rifles, Shillong, Pallavi Borah from police reserve, Shillong, Partho Protem Baruah from Laitumkhrah, Shillong, Madhuri Gupta from Happy Valley, Shillong, Rajesh Kr Mishra from Tura, West Garo Hills, Malavika Panda from town and country planning quarter, Malki, Shillong, and Bapukan G. Momin from Rongjeng, East Garo Hills.

The health department said these students had failed to respond to the showcause notice issued to them from time to time.

The reminder said these students should report to the health department and join the Meghalaya health services, failing which necessary action would be taken without further notice.

The bond amount was hiked to Rs 25 lakh in 2010 from Rs 10 lakh to ensure that the doctors return to the state.

The bond amount for batches from 1975 was Rs 5,000. It was fixed at Rs 2 lakh in 2000. The amount was subsequently raised to Rs 10 lakh.

Despite this, many doctors refunded the bond amount as they were not willing to return to the state and serve in the rural areas.

This prompted the government to further hike the amount to Rs 25 lakh in 2010.

There are some state-sponsored MBBS students who are pursuing higher studies without giving any information to the state health department.

An official of the health department said these students could not excuse themselves for higher studies without intimating the matter to the department.

Deputy chief minister Rowel Lyngdoh, who holds the health portfolio, admitted that the rural areas of the state were hit by shortage of doctors.

He said the MBBS students who availed the state quota should come back to the state after completing studies. This would address the problem of shortage of doctors, he added.

Seeking ICT Support: May-July, 2012

Natural Justice is seeking a Cape Town-based service provider to support our organisation in maintaining, updating and occasionally developing further Natural Justice’s internet presence. Successful applicants should demonstrate their capacity to achieve the following - 

1. SEO: 

• Previous experience in optimising websites to maximise hits via search engines, especially Google 

2. Update www.naturaljustice.org and www.community-protocols.org efficiently and precisely as requested by Natural Justice. This will require: 

• Previous experience in developing using the Wordpress platform 

• Previous experience with Filezilla 

• Experience developing and maintaining professional websites 

 3. Flexibility: 

• Ability to work irregular hours with different amounts of work required from week to week and month to month. Hours required will likely range from 0-5 hours in a week 

• Willingness to complete Natural Justice tasks quickly and efficiently as need arises 

4. Social media: 

• Experience integrating traditional websites with social media plug-ins 

• Attention to detail and aesthetics 

• Creative ideas for future developments 

5. Professionalism: 

• Ability to understand and complete tasks quickly 

• Capacity to provide accurate estimates of the amount of time required for tasks assigned and to bill accurately for services rendered. 

To apply for the position, please send a cover letter and CV to Johan Lorenzen (johan@naturaljustice.org) and Holly Shrumm (holly@naturaljustice.org).

Meanders through music

Documentary projects rhythm as panacea for peace

ALIPTA JENA

Director Bidyut Kotoky and Lou Majaw

Calcutta, May 15 : In the Northeast, music is the elixir that has carried many through a generation of strife.

Bidyut Kotoky’s documentary Guns and Guitars shoulders this untold tale of triumph over the dominant narrative of hate.

The 52-minute film will feature musician Lou Majaw and eight bands — one from each state of the Northeast — and track their quest for fulfilment, which culminated with Bob Dylan’s birthday concert in Shillong last year.

“The film will try to highlight how this generation rises above the pain, with guitars in their hands and songs on their lips,” says the Mumbai-based award-winning documentary maker.

The idea struck Kotoky on a casual monsoon morning in Mumbai, while he was accompanying Lou Majaw to a shop selling musical instruments.

“Music is in the heart and soul of the people of the Northeast. Ironically, there it is easier to get a gun than a guitar,” said Lou.

The bands that feature in the documentary are Alive (Sikkim), D’luzion (Assam), Swraijak (Tripura), Evenflow (Mizoram), Cleave (Manipur), Incipit (Nagaland), Symmetry Clan (Arunachal Pradesh) and Midnight Garden Factor (Meghalaya).

“I chose the bands because they comprise people who have love in their hearts for their fellowmen,” added Lou.

For past 38 years now, Lou has been organising an annual concert on Bob Dylan’s birthday. Last year, he organised a Sunrise to Sunset concert at Umiam Lake near Shillong, reminiscent of Woodstock ’69.

“More often than not, the Northeast finds a mention in the national media for all the wrong reasons. For years, I have been troubled by this and tried to bring out various, lesser-known aspects of the region through my films. The discussion with Lou and the unusual proliferation of music and bands in the region struck a chord and Guns and Guitars was born,” Kotoky adds.

The documentary, slated for completion soon, also boasts of innovative camera work by Bedadutti Dutta.

It will also attempt to explore parallels between Dylan’s journey as a musician during the troubled period around the Vietnam war, with the journey of these bands.

Kotoky’s team travelled from one state to another, meeting people from various walks of life, hearing songs and stories yet unheard.

Mizoram chief minister Lalthanhawla, Naga social worker Niketu Iralu, former Ulfa cadre and current CEO of the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust Sunil Nath from Assam, INPT president Bijay Hrangkhawal from Tripura and Manipur body-builder Pradip Kumar speak of the loss of innocence through violence and subsequent efforts towards harmony.

Lalhmingliana, a former MNF rebel from Mizoram, recalls the year 1966 when he, as a member of the group, had to go underground when the outfit declared independence and speaks of the present which “can be transformed with a little effort and patience”.

Delhi-based actor Adil Hussain speaks of the Assam Agitation, in which many lives were lost, and the betrayal of the peoples’ emotions back then, the unfulfilled promises.

However, he adds, “I believe in hope. People like Irom Sharmila, Lou Majaw and many unknown names have the potential to change the world. So can anyone who chooses to harness the potential within themselves.”

The eight bands are fresh and willing to experiment with rhythms, preferring to look beyond half-a-century of crippling violence.

“The things we can’t express with words, we express with music,” says a band member, as they sing “any day now, any way now, I shall be released.”

Lou sums it up, “There must be a paradise for every hellhole and the seeds for it have been planted.”

Training module for doctors in rural areas in Meghalaya

In a first in the Northeast, 60 government doctors serving in rural areas of Meghalaya will be trained by the faculty of GVK EMRI and Stanford University.

The training module, developed by GVK EMRI and the Department of Medicine, Stanford University, is exclusively developed to suit the needs of emergency patients in low resource settings which is a fact common fact in rural India, Associate Partner from GVK EMRI HyderabadDr Srinivasa Rao, told reporters here today.

The five-day training scheduled tomorrow in Shillong and next week in Tura will have 30 doctors in one batch.

Dr Rao said the participants will be trained on essentials of emergency medicine including initial evaluation and stabilization of patients.

While it takes three years to be an emergency specialist in the US, it would covered in a nutshell in five days here, Faculty at the Stanford University Dr Ayesha Khan, one of the trainers, said.

The cost of training for each participant is Rs 10,000 which the state government will bear.

New IUCN-CEESP Newsletter

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy’s (IUCN-CEESP) latest newsletter was released in May. The newsletter reports on the activities of IUCN-CEESP’s members and partners from around the world and also includes policy articles and reports.

The comments from the Chairperson, Aroha Te Pareake Mead, focus on preparations for the upcoming Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. The newsletter also spotlights events ICUN-CEESP is hosting during the conference. Updates include preparations for the World Conservation Congress and the International Indigenous Development Research Conference and a report back from the Planet Under Pressure conference. Articles consider possible indicators for REDD+ impact on indigenous and local communities, the beneficiaries of international land deals, and case studies on participatory environmental governance. The newsletter also highlights Natural Justice’s ‘Biocultural Community Protocols: Toolkit for Community Facilitators.’ 

The full newsletter can be found here.

Community Meeting in Bwabata Park, Namibia

Through its African Biocultural Community Protocol (BCP) Initiative, Natural Justice travelled to the Bwabwata National Park in West Kaprivi, Namibia during the week of 7th May to meet with residents. Proclaimed a national park in 2007, Bwabwata is the largest of the five protected areas in northeastern Namibia and is bordered to the north by Angola and the south by Botswana. Bwabwata consists of high number of large mammals that are both rare and of important economic value. The grasslands provide habitat for roan, sable and tsessebe along with an important bird habitat. Bwabwata has three core areas designated for special protection and controlled tourism. It also has a large multiple use area zoned for community-based tourism, trophy hunting, human settlement and development by the residents of the community. The Bwabawata resident community is 80% Kwhe. The Kwhe are generally allowed to live sustainably with the environment and natural resources within the park. 

In the absence of current legislation formally recognizing the rights of park residents, the Namibian government does recognize the Karamachan Association as the ‘appropriate representative body for the community of residents of the Bwabwata within the context of tourism development and natural resource management involving the community’. 

In collaboration with locally based NGO Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) and the Karamachan Association, Natural Justice held consultations over two days with community members in which representation in the park, loss of culture and traditional knowledge, possible livelihood projects including access and benefit sharing, and the community’s vision for the future were all discussed. Natural Justice will continue to work with the community, Karamachan Association and IRDNC to assist in the development of a Bwabwata National Park residents BCP, which they hope to use to address some of their concerns and support their vision for the future.

Meghalaya Governor wants agriculture to be a choice for youth

Shillong, May 12 : Meghalaya Governor R S Mooshahary today said a policy change is needed to make agriculture a vocational choice for the educated youth. "The current mindset that agriculture is the vocation of uneducated rural youth with no skill has to be changed by our affirmative action to make it a vocation of dignity and respect," he said at the Indian Centre for Agricultural Research (ICAR) complex at Umiam, near here. He emphasised on the need to set up farm schools in villages to provide hands-on experience in farming to youths. According to the Governor, agriculture must be in a position to attract young men and women with good education to take it as a vocation of choice and not a choiceless livelihood option where despair and poverty force people to kill themselves. Mooshahary suggested a policy change which could inculcate farming spirit in our young men and women in educational institutions. "Many of them have not even seen any food crop of livestock husbandry and they are not sensitive to the farmer's plight. So the students in educational institutions from the level of high school to university should be given lessons in farming by introducing a basic agricultural syllabus," he said. Mooshahary said setting up of farm schools would help the youths learn the techniques of farming at an early age which would also encourage them to be new generation farmers and stop their migration to urban areas.

Curfew further relaxed in Meghalaya

Shillong, May 12 : With the situation in its riot-hit areas limping to normalcy, authorities in Meghalaya Friday further relaxed curfew in the plains of West Garo Hills district bordering Assam's Dhubri district.

The curfew was relaxed for 10 hours, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"The situation is limping back to normalcy. Therefore, we decided to lift the curfew for another six hours to ensure people could buy essential commodities," West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi told IANS.

He said further relaxation would be done after assessing the law and order situation.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma appealed to all sections of society to maintain peace and harmony and not to believe in rumour mongers.

The district administration has stepped up security and is engaged in meetings with people.

"Peace meetings have been organised at places where there have been misunderstandings and to restore normalcy," Bakshi said.

Curfew was imposed in Phulbari, Rajabala, Bhaitbari, Singhimari and other adjoining areas Tuesday night to foil communal clashes between tribal Garos and Muslims after some people circulated text messages with a communal flavour.
 

Symantec and Meghalaya Government announce tie-up to enhance employment in IT-ITeS sector

GUWAHATI: Symantec Software Solutions Private Limited and the Government of Meghalaya announced initiation of skill development program for training and opportunities for IT-ITeS employment in the state. This programme will involve at least 1500 participants.

According to a statement from Symantec participants of the programme will be qualified for a variety of IT roles and receive relevant placement assistance through Symantec partners after the completion of the training.

Symantec has designed the course and will also provide courseware, systems, processes, faculty.

Dr. D. P. Wahlang, IT Secretary- Government of Meghalaya said, “Building a qualified talent pool through the Skill Development Program is imperative to attract IT investment to the state of Meghalaya. Along with the large English-speaking population, academic infrastructure, attractive IT policies and subsidies, this initiative will improve the state’s credibility as a strong contender in the IT arena.”

Anand Naik, Managing Director- Sales, India and SAARC, Symantec said that the Skill Development Program will empower the local talent in Meghalaya.

The training will on IT operations, from IT fundamentals to networking, security, data center management, storage, archiving, disaster recovery and availability.

The twelve month program, consisting of ten courses, will be conducted in three batches, each of 161-hour duration.

According to the statement Symantec will provide end-to-end skill development, concluding the program with job fairs where candidates can engage with potential employers, including Symantec partners.

Shutdown called in Meghalaya over dubious voters

Shillong, May 10 : Continuing to mount pressure on the Meghalaya government over the enrolment of dubious voters, three powerful organisations Wednesday announced a 12-hour shutdown May 14 in four districts in eastern part of the state.

The Khasi Students' Union, the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front have demanded immediate suspension of enrolment of voters and closure of special counters for registering prospective voters in the deputy commissioners' office.

The organisations have also alleged that numerous migrants have been enrolled in the voters' list without a thorough verification of their antecedents.

"We have been forced to call a 12-hour total shutdown on Monday (May 14) from 5 a.m to 5 p.m to press the government to fulfil our demands," HNYF Spokesman Sadon Blah told IANS.

National Highways No.40 and 44, the lifelines for landlocked Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Manipur and southern Assam, are likely to be affected by the shutdown.

Though, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had convened an all-party meeting to discuss our demands, Blah said the political parties, however, failed to take a decision on their demands.

"If the government fails to comply with our genuine demands, we have no other option but to intensify with our agitational programmes," Blah said.

On Tuesday, cutting across party lines, political leaders decided to constitute an all-party committee to examine certain clauses of the Election Commission's (EC) voter enrolment guidelines without infringing the Constitutional body's mandate.

"An all party committee would formulate friendly and effective voters enrolment guidelines for the State. The amended version would then be sent to the EC for approval," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said.

The organisations have also alleged that numerous migrants have been enrolled in the voters' list without a thorough verification of their antecedents.

However, the state government has been maintaining that the enrolment has been done as per the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India.

Meghalaya bans tinted glass

SHILLONG, May 10 – Meghalaya police has launched a crackdown on the use of tinted glass in vehicles following a Supreme Court directive to ban such tinted glass to minimise car crimes.

The State Traffic police personnel have already started taking action against vehicle owners who are using tinted glass from May 4, Meghalaya Director General of Police N Ramachandran, said.

Only VVIPs with “Z” and “Z plus” category security will be exempted from this new directive of the Supreme Court, he said. The court banned use of tinted glass in vehicles following a public interest litigation filed by Avishek Goenka seeking complete ban on use of such glasses.

“There would be no relaxation for anybody, not even government officials. Only the Chief Minister and people with Z” and “Z plus” category security would be exempted,” Ramachandran said.

Removal of these dark films on the vehicles, Ramachandran said, would help the police in detecting anti-socials moving around in vehicles. The move, many say, would help reduce the rate of rape in cars and also kidnapping.

Meghalaya Government had banned use of tinted glasses on vehicles last year, but could not implement the order totally due to protests.

However, today women’s groups particularly have welcomed the move of the State Government. Chairperson of Meghalaya State Commission Roshan Warjri said that the Supreme Court verdict would help in reducing car crimes.

Agnes Kharshiing, a women’s group leader, had similar views and said that the verdict would help the State police in tackling car crimes, adding that the State police must take stern action against the violators who continue to use tinted glass on their vehicles.

Meanwhile, in its order, the Supreme Court has said that there should be 70 per cent transparency in the windshield and the rear glass and 50 per cent transparency in windows if the product is part of the car manufacturer. However, the order bans the use of dark film on glasses of the vehicles.

Curfew imposed in Meghalaya

Shillong, May 10 : A curfew has been imposed in western Meghalaya to foil communal clashes, an official said Wednesday.
"A curfew was clamped Tuesday night to prevent clashes between the (tribal) Garos and Muslims," West Garo Hills District Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi told IANS.
The incident took place in area bordering Assam.
He said tension mounted Monday evening in a place dominated by Muslims after some people circulated text messages that could have triggered communal violence.
District police chief Mukesh Kumar Singh and other officials are camping in the area.
"The situation is extremely sensitive but under control," Singh said.

Wapichan Map 1.4 Million Hectares

Photo from www.forestpeoples.org

In a bid to protect over 1.4 million hectares of community land, the Wapichan community of Guyana have produced a digital map of their territories. The mapping project, carried out over the past ten years using GPS technology to plot key community sites, covers a diverse array of ecosystems and will support the community to establish the community’s rights to its land. 

Kid James described the aim of the mapping, “once ownership rights are secured there is potential for economic benefit as there are some development actions, such as ecotourism and non-timber extractive reserves, identified for different parts of the area.” The map was finalised through multiple validation meetings with community members and communities who neighbour the Wapichan over five years. 

Read more about the mapping process through Alert Net here and through the Forest Peoples Programme here.

Natural Justice Prepares for the Ashoka Globalizer

As part of the Ashoka Globalizer, Harry Jonas (Natural Justice) met with Rizwan Tayabali (pictured) for two days to further develop Natural Justice's scaling strategy. The Ashoka Globalizer is focusing on Rural Innovation and Farming in 2012, and brings together a range of Ashoka Fellows at the Summit in June to discuss respective scaling strategies and to expose Fellows to leading social entrepreneurs for one-on-one advice sessions. The programme is intended to enable Ashoka Fellows to leverage a range of opportunities to scale their associated ideas and organizations. Rizwan Tayabali is a business and management consultant who spent two years working with a range of social enterprises across the world and is now providing advice to, among others, Natural Justice. Harry thanks Rizwan and his wife Angelina for their hospitality while in Kuala Lumpur.

Office picketing by NGOs passes off peacefully

Shillong: The one-day office picketing in four districts of Meghalaya sponsored by influential NGOs opposing government's enrollment of "dubious" voters passed off peacefully amidst very thin attendances in government offices even as banks remained closed on Monday.

Two companies of BSF personnel were deployed to man "sensitive" government buildings in Shillong city, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police A R Mawthoh told a news agency.

Four NGO activists were picked up by the police from Laitumkhrah area of the city early today for disrupting normal life and preventing office goers from going to their respective offices, police said.

There was very thin attendance today in government office and only about 15-20 per cent of the government employees turned up in East Khasi Hills district, while in Ri-Bhoi district the attendance was about 58-60 per cent, official sources said.

The attendance of government employees in West Khasi Hills district and Jaintia Hills was reported to be normal, official sources said.

The NGOs, the Khasi Students Union, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front, had demanded the government to stop election enrollment drives in the four districts including Shillong city in view of the vulnerability of enrollment of "dubious" voters.

An all party meeting has been convened by the government to discuss in the issue of "dubious" voters in Meghalaya on Tuesday.

Enroll only bonafide state residents: NGOs to Meghalaya govt

Ahead of the all party meeting on "dubious" voters tomorrow, tribal NGOs today petitioned the Meghalaya government and the political parties to enroll only "bonafide residents" of the state.

The NGOs under the umbrella of Social Organisations of Meghalaya against Land Alienation said, "those who acquired land in Meghalaya in contravention to the provisions of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971, are not legal land holders and such lands are considered void, enforceable by any court of law."

"As such, there is no justification for the illegal resident of Meghalaya to be enrolled as voters and they should be deleted from the electoral roll," SOMALA convener W Anthony said.

In a letter to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and the leaders of other political parties, Anthony said, "all persons above 18 years of age and who settled in Meghalaya for any period of time in contravention to the provision of the Act cannot be given the benefit of enrollment in the electoral roll."

According to the SOMALA, "such enrolments violate the local land laws and is also contrary to the principle of protection safeguarding the economic growth of tribals within the scheduled areas mandated by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India."

The state government has convened an all party meeting tomorrow to discuss on the enrolment drives of "dubious" voters in Meghalaya to bring an end to the stalemate between the government and the agitating NGOs.

The NGOs had announced several agitation programmes to pressure the government to put on hold the enrolment drives which, they claimed, "facilitate" enrolment of dubious voters.

Indigenous Peoples Conservation Spotlighted in Jakarta Globe

A recent article in the Jakarta Globe documented the incredible conservation that the Indigenous Peoples of Indonesia engage in through their way of being. Rizal Mahfud described his Ngata Toro community of Central Sulawesi as having “had our own ways to protect the forests for hundreds of years...we don’t need any government programs. We just need to develop [our own].” 

The article also notes the work of the Iban Dayak community who have maintained a quota system for logging in their area since 1819 and mapped their forest zones. The article emphasises that what communities need is increased recognition of their rights to inhabit and conserve their traditional areas over funding. 

Read the full article here.

Training Session on Nagoya Protocol and BCPs for Tribal Link's Project Access

In preparation for the 11th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Tribal Link organised a training session for Indigenous Peoples from all over the world from 2-4 May. This year's training included a daylong session on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Article 8(j) of the Convention, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization, and biocultural community protocols. The third day of the training was organised by John Scott (CBD Secretariat), assisted by Lucy Mulenkei (Indigenous Information Network and the Indigenous Women's Biodiversity Network, IWBN), Florina Lopez (Kuna Yalaas and IWBN) and Johanna von Braun (Natural Justice).

Many of the discussions related to comparing strategies of engagement between the UNPFII and the CBD with respect to indigenous issues. The 11th Session of the UNPFII is affected, similar to previous years, by severe spacial challenges due to ongoing constructions at the UN Secretariat in New York. While 1600 participants have been registered from all over the world, the meeting venue can only hold 400 people.

Case Study on Forest Use and Management in Vietnam

As Vietnam prepares for the implementation of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), a challenge has been the limited information on how customary land rights and institutions support the preservation of Vietnam’s forests. While the government is increasingly open to partnering with local communities in conservation, there is very limited research documenting the successes and challenges of this approach in the country. 

To address this, the International Work Group on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) Foundation, and Culture Identity and Resource Use Management (CIRUM) have partnered in a case study documenting the forest resource use and management of the Dzao and Thai people of northwest Vietnam. According to the description, ‘the study documents customary law applied in forest resource use and management among Thai and Dzao communities and concludes with a set of recommendations which can contribute to an improvement of forest related laws and policies.’ 

Read the summary of the case study report here and download the report here.

New Report on Large-Scale Land Acquisitions

Image via www.globalwitness.org

As the scale of large-scale land acquisitions in developing nations continues to grow, Global Witness, the International Land Coalition and the Oakland Institute have produced a report documenting how opening up the process of acquisition would benefit local communities, governments and business. The report is titled ‘Dealing with Disclosure: Improving Transparency in Decision-Making Over Large-Scale Land Acquisitions, Allocations and Investments.’ 

The report begins with a brief illustration of the context of large-scale land acquisition and emphasising the importance of finding methods of encouraging transparency and accountability when such deals are considered. The report then moves on to consider some of the safeguards that have been used to promote transparency including international binding instruments, international voluntary agreements or declarations, voluntary corporate social responsibility commitments, and other mechanisms.

The report then considers a four stage approach for specific projects. The first step is recognising existing land and resource rights, the second is assessing impact, the third is effective monitoring of implementation and the fourth is post-project transparency. Community Protocols, and the role of Natural Justice in pushing of the inclusion of protocols in the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, are spotlighted as a mechanism to assert existing land and resource rights. 

The summary of the report can be found here, the full report can be downloaded here.

New CBD Newsletter

The May [square brackets] newsletter of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has been released. The newsletter includes a number of fascinating articles. Holly Shrumm (Natural Justice) served on the editorial board alongside colleagues from other NGOs and the CBD Secretariat. 

This edition includes an interview with the CBD Executive Secretary on challenges ahead. Simone Lovera (Global Forest Coalition) and Rashed Al Mahmud Titimu (Unnayan Onneshan) compiled a piece civil society’s views on the scaling up of biodiversity finance. Ashish Kothari (Kalpavriksh) shared his critical reflections on the potential for Rio +20 to push ‘business as usual.’ 

The newsletter can be downloaded here.

Private insurance cover for Meghalaya

Guwahati/Shillong, May 4 : The International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank, will help Meghalaya to implement a universal health insurance plan, which will benefit the state’s population of over three million, including those from low and middle-income households, currently without health coverage.

This is the second time the corporation will aid Meghalaya in the healthcare sector.

An agreement was signed today between Donald Wah-lang, commissioner secretary, health and family welfare, Meghalaya and Karin Finkelston, IFC vice-president Asia Pacific, in a meeting in Shillong, chaired by Meghalaya chief secretary W.S. Pariat.

In 2010, the corporation advised the state on providing quality healthcare and training.

“Through this first-of-its kind scheme in India, Meghalaya will be able to expand healthcare services to all,” said Wahlang, in a communiqué issued by the corporation.

Wahlang said in the long term, this would help address the shortage of trained medical and paramedical staff in the Northeast.

Meghalaya had started implementing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana in 2009, demonstrating a commitment to strengthen health infrastructure in the state.

Under the programme, the corporation works jointly with the World Bank to assist the state in designing and implementing the insurance plan, including promoting private sector participation.

It will broaden coverage for local families, allowing them to obtain quality healthcare and specialised treatment close to home.

The project is also supported by the UK’s department for international development.

The project will be implemented in two phases.

In the first, the plan will extend insurance coverage to more than 80 per cent of the residents not covered by Meghalaya’s current programme.

The second phase will include coverage for a broader range of diseases and tertiary healthcare delivery, all under higher financial cover.

“By introducing an efficient and independent paying mechanism, the project will promote private sector participation in offering healthcare to the insured,” said Karin Finkelston, IFC vice-president for Asia-Pacific.

“Increasing the paying capacity of the rural poor will encourage the private sector to provide services in smaller and remote towns and villages.”

“With steep health expenditures affecting the poor, government-sponsored health insurance schemes offer new possibilities towards attaining universal coverage,” said Julie McLaughlin, World Bank sector manager for health, nutrition and population for South Asia.

Meghalaya CM demands CBI inquiry into NE students' deaths

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today demanded a CBI probe into the death of two students from North East in Haryana and Karnataka.

"I have put a word to both the chief ministers officially in a letter to take necessary steps for handing over the cases to the CBI and communicate their willingness accordingly," Mukul told a gathering who converged at Khyndailad in a candle light vigil to mourn the death of the two students.

Manipuri youth Richard Loitam was allegedly killed at his hostel in Bangalore, while Dana Silva M Sangma committed suicide due to alleged "discrimination" by the her university authorities in Gurgaon.

Sangma and his cabinet colleagues joined hundreds of students and concerned citizens in the candlelight vigil organised by the Shillong Press Club and I-CARE, a local NGO.

The Chief Minister said the response of his counterparts in both the states "will go a long way in reflecting the sensitivity of their governments".

He said, "There must be a law enacted for the whole country to ensure that safety and security of students are taken into consideration and to regulate these universities."

Chief Minister said mandating such a law through legislation will go a long way in creating an environment which will be a win-win situation for both the students and the institutions.

Symantec joins hands with Meghalaya for skill building

Symantec Software Solutions, an arm of the Nasdaq-listed Symantec, a global lea­der in providing security, st­orage and systems ma­n­a­g­ement solutions, is now getti­ng into skill developm­ent. As starter, it has joined hands with Meghalaya go­vernment to provide com­pr­ehensive tr­aining and create opportunities for IT-ITeS employment in the state. If this model clicks, Symantec is open to replicate the same model in other states of India with other state governments.

“We look forward to initiate such programmes with various other state governments as well,” Anand Naik, MD, sales, India & Saarc, S­ymantec, told Financial C­hr­onicle. And it will not just be sk­ill developments. In Me­g­h­alaya, for instance, on comp­l­etion of the course, over 1­,­500 participants will be qualified for a variety of IT roles and receive relevant plac­ement assistance through Sy­mantec partners only.

Naik said, “IT knowledge is an important asset in the connected, technology-driven world, and the Skill Development Programme will empower the local talent in Meghalaya with world-class, outcome-oriented training and resources.” He admitted, “This is an opportunity for Symantec to not only arm Meghalaya’s youth with key technology skills they’ll need for their future career development, but also develop a savvy resource pool for the industry as a whole.”

Learning About Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Advocacy in Asia-Pacific

From 23 April to 2 May in Sabah, Malaysia, Holly Shrumm (Natural Justice) participated in a training program entitled "Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Advocacy in Asia-Pacific". It was organized by the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP), which is affiliated with the University of New South Wales Faculty of Law, and hosted by Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS, the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia), Partners of Community Organisations (PACOS Trust), and the Centre of Malaysian Indigenous Studies (CMIS) at the University of Malaya.

Through an engaging format of presentations, panel discussions, and role play activities, participants from 12 countries learned about a range of topics and practical tools to advocate for Indigenous peoples' rights from some of the leading practitioners in the region.

These included:

• Jannie Lasimbang (Malaysian Human Rights Commission) on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, national human rights institutions, and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
• Dr. Ramy Bulan (CMIS) on the legal framework for Indigenous peoples' rights in Malaysia;
• Dr. Sarah Pritchard on the international human rights system, including treaty bodies, specific human rights instruments, and special procedures;
• Dr. Megan Davis (Director, Indigenous Law Centre, University of New South Wales) on her role as an Expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII);
• Dr. Colin Nicholas (Centre for Orang Asli Concerns) on 'activism thresholds' as well as tools for proving Native Title;
• Patrick Earle (Executive Director, DTP) on advocacy and campaigning strategies and techniques;
• Christina Hill (Mining Advocacy Officer, Oxfam-Australia) on Indigenous peoples' right to free, prior and informed consent as well as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises;
• Virginia Dandan (UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and International Solidarity) on the right to development, economic, cultural and social rights and the Millennium Development Goals, and the meaning of solidarity;
• Joshua Cooper (Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights) and Binota Moy Dhamai (AIPP) on the Universal Periodic Review;
• Shree Kumar Maharjan (AIPP) on climate change and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD); and
• Leonard Alaza (JOAS) on advocacy and the media.

Holly extends heartfelt appreciation to all of the participants, trainers, support staff, and the program's organizers, particularly Imelda Deinla (DTP) and Christina David (JOAS), for an extremely informative and inspiring 10 days.

Molotov haunts Shillong streets

Govt cracks whip on petrol sale A government vehicle goes up in flames after a petrol bomb was hurled by goons during the recent agitation of the NGOs in Shillong.

Shillong, May 3 : Molotov is back to haunt both the police and the district administration in Shillong.

It has been a trend to use petrol and kerosene bombs known as Molotov cocktails or Molotov by protesters during agitation here in the past.

Named after former Soviet foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov, the fire bottles were used by Finland against the Soviet Union in the late 1930s.

During the ongoing agitation, too, there were several instances of hurling petrol bombs and in one case, a kerosene bomb, on government vehicles, buildings and haystacks.

Recently, a truck driver also escaped a bid on his life after he jumped out of the vehicle when goons hurled a petrol bomb at it.

East Khasi Hills superintendent of police A.R. Mawthoh said concerned over the rise in the use of Molotovs to damage vehicles and other public property in parts of Shillong, the police have decided to beef up intelligence gathering.

“We hope that with better intelligence gathering, we will be able to tackle the menace,” Mawthoh said.

According to the police official, if the ignited Molotov is hurled at a person, it can be fatal.

The method to prepare these bombs is simple. One needs a bottle and kerosene or petrol to fill it up with. Then a wick is inserted in place of the cap, which is ignited and hurled at the target.

While hand grenades or other explosives are costly and difficult to procure, the goons are using Molotovs to cause maximum damage.

As a measure to check the use of petrol for making bombs the East Khasi Hills district administration has prohibited petrol pump owners to sell loose petrol to anyone in the district.

“We have issued directions to the petrol pump owners not to sell loose petrol,” said East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal.

He said there would be a check on black marketing of kerosene in parts of Shillong. At present, there is only provision under Section 144CrPC to prevent the recurrence of use of petrol bombs.

“We need to check whether the provisions of Arms Act would be applicable to tackle those who use petrol bombs,” Goyal said.

According to the deputy commissioner, if the government comes to know about the manufacturing areas of petrol and kerosene bombs, firm action would be taken against those who resort to this means of violence.

First Meeting of the Diversity Liaison Group

On 28 and 29 May, Johanna von Braun (Natural Justice) participated in the first meeting of the Diversity Liaison Group (DLG) of the joint programme on biological and cultural diversity which was endorsed by UNESCO’s constituencies and the tenth Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan.

This first meeting brought a number of different stakeholders together, ranging from representatives of indigenous communities, academic institutions, funding agencies, other UN agencies and NGOs. The expectation from the DLG, which is an informal group with fluid membership, is to provide technical advice and to assist the Secretariats of the CBD and UNESCO in advancing the Joint Programme, assessments of progress made, and in plotting of future steps. 

In this first meeting participants were asked to comment on the priority focus areas for the joint program of work and its deliverables for COP11, discuss a future online ‘Global Knowledge Platform on the Links between Biological and Cultural Diversity’, identify key messages on the links between biological and cultural diversity, and to coordinate their strategic communication with respect to future events such as Rio+20, the World Conservation Congress and COP 11.