The central and state should guarantee the survival of nomadic tribes to prevent their extinction

 India is my country and all Indians are my brothers and sisters

We all are well aware of what this line signifies. This line symbolizes what India is made up of- its secularity and its unity in diversity. We have been taught that our Indian constitution gives everyone equal rights to vote, education, religion, etc. But the question is does everyone have access to equal rights? Well, what about the nomadic people? Do you think they are getting equal opportunities as any other Indian citizen? It certainly does not look like that.

Over and over again, the nomadic and denotified tribes are ignored both by the politicians and the government. Even though certain provisions are made for them, it is just that. Some words that are written but not fully executed. When a region or an area undergoes urban development, it is carried out from a human rights perspective and in the spirit of constitutional morality. Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to experience this. The nomadic and denotified tribes, who contribute significantly in terms of physical labor to this development, are kept away from its benefits and most often are subjugated by the city residents.

The issue of exclusion of nomadic tribes is not new. They have been beaten both by the government and society. But they still carry on, doing labor work to earn money, feed their children, to live. It is very late, if delayed, we may lose one of India’s ancient cultures. The sooner the central and local governments address the exclusion of nomadic tribes, the sooner they can work towards their inclusion and participation in society.

To begin with, governments need to recognize and respect the traditional land use and resource management practices of nomadic communities and work towards securing their land and resource rights. This may involve creating legal frameworks that recognize the customary land rights of nomadic tribes and providing them with support to manage and protect their resources. This also includes providing basic services such as education, healthcare, water and sanitation facilities to nomadic communities. This may require innovative approaches that have taken into account the mobility of these communities, such as mobile, schools and health clinics.

Additionally, governments should support the economic and social empowerment of nomadic communities, by providing access to credit, markets, and training opportunities. This may involve promoting traditional skills and crafts and creating opportunities for nomads to participate in local and regional economies. Finally, it is important for governments to recognize the cultural identity and heritage of nomadic communities, and to support efforts to preserve and promote their cultural traditions. This may involve creating cultural centers and museums, supporting language preservation programs, and promoting the participation of nomads in cultural festivals and events.

Addressing the exclusion of nomadic tribes requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the unique needs and challenges faced by these communities. It requires the participation and engagement of nomadic communities themselves, as well as the collaboration of government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector. We as citizens also have the responsibility to ensure that our nomadic brothers and sisters should not be subjugated in any way or form and must get their rightful place in society.