Experts participated in a webinar about Environment and Tribes. The webinar was held under the auspices Orissa Environmental Society.
Dr Sundara Narayana Patro, OES president, presided over the program. Prof Jagannath Dash was the chief speaker. He was a former Head, Department of Anthropology Utkal University.
Prof Dash told the story of his long interactions with tribal communities, using Similipal Biosphere Reserve to illustrate his point. He explained that these people are the primary dependents of the forests and their knowledge about ecosystem functioning is limitless.
He said that tribes like the Hill Khadias, Ujias, and Birhors view Similipal as their ancestral home. They have an emotional bond with Similipal, take the best care of their territories, and function as conservationists.
Dr Patro emphasized that ethnic people are the sacred trustees and protectors of natural heritage. Conservation measures can flourish with their active cooperation.
Secretary Dr Jaya Krushna Panigrahi opined that modernity and consumerism have greatly influenced our environment detrimentally. He said, “We should follow the tribes in our environment protection initiatives.”
