(ABOVE)Former Ranchi University vice-chancellor Ram Dayal Munda at the rally; (BELOW)Medha Patkar addresses the gathering at Morabadi grounds. Pictures by Prashant Mitra and Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Oct. 31: Medha Patkar has given the necessary thrust to the movement for forest rights demanded by tribals across the country.

Delivering the keynote address at the four-day second national conference organised by the National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers, the Narmada Bachao Andolan leader told the 20,000-odd gathering: “This is your wealth and it’s only through andolan we would get back our rights.”

Delegates from across the country and abroad have taken part in the conference inaugurated today at Morabadi grounds.

The rally was jointly organised by the forum and the Jharkhand Jangal Bachao Andolan. “When the Constitution was framed the rights of forest dwellers was not enshrined while in the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act there are lots of rights but they are devoid of land, which were constantly being snatched. Although the government keeps on changing but the policy remains the same,” Medha said, adding: “Although I was not born in a tribal family but the issue of displacement worries me.”

While requesting the tribal dwellers, Medha said no one should vacate his land but instead the land and forest are part of their existence. “There are lots of companies trying to get a space in the state but the government should take adequate measures to protect tribal rights,” she added.

In the morning, the forest dwellers, along with Patkar and former vice-chancellor of Ranchi University Ram Dayal Munda, had taken out a rally and demonstrated in front of Raj Bhavan for two hours demanding to return the forest ownership right to them. “Though we could not meet the governor but we have put forward a memorandum stressing the Forest Rights Bill, 2005, should be passed immediately,” said conference convener Sanjay Basu Mullick.

Munda said non-timber forest produce should be given to the villagers but instead it is going in the wrong hand. “Likewise according to the 73rd Amendment, forest ownership should be given to the dwellers and not to individuals,” he added. National convener of the forum Ashok Choudhary said: “We are trying to create a platform to make the movement more active.”