The pace of India’s development is endangering the life and property of tribal people in the country,a two-day meeting that ended yesterday heard.

Nearly 250 people representing tribal groups from nine of India’s 27 states attended the meeting that sought ways to fight exploitative forces that threaten their identity.

They agreed on a plan to help tribal people fight to protect their livelihood, culture, languages, customs, traditions and values.

“The existence of tribal communities is threatened as India’s developmental works deprive them of their land, water, forest and other natural resources,” said Jesuit Father Marianus Kujur, who heads the tribal unit in New Delhi-based Indian Social Institute.

The Oraon tribal priest presented a paper on the plight of tribal people since India opened up its economy in early 1990s.

He said lack of unity among tribal people on ways to fight their “mindless exploitation” has led to their marginalization and deprivation.

“If this is allowed to continue, the day is not far off when we will not only lose our resources for survival but also our very identity,” he added.

Father Kujur urged the delegates to help their communities rise above their own groups and work for the common good of all tribal groups.

Jesuit Father Agapit Tirkey, who directs a tribal research center in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, stressed the need for tribal people to become politically active and take up their causes in various civil and social forums.

“We want tribal people to play an effective role in political life,” the priest told ucanews.com today.

The meeting resolved to unite all tribal groups in the country under one umbrella to take up their socio-economic and political issues.

The Jesuit Ministry Among Adivasi and Indigenous People organized the meeting at Bhopal capital of Madhya Pradesh, another central Indian state.

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