NATIONAL PROCESS

NATIONAL PROCESS

Objective of this process:

Econet is part of a State level process that deals with issues relating to Non Pastoral Nomadic Communities. In the year 2006 we started interacting with other organizations across the country and took the initiative at the India Social Forum to organize a National level Forum pertaining to Non Pastoral Nomads. Many of us saw a need for the formation of a National level collective to address policy level issues at the National/Central levels. When working with Non Pastoral Nomads looking at the issues in the confines of state boundaries does often not make sense as many of them, even today, use Nomadism as part of their livelihood strategy. Their practice of Nomadism forces them to face a lot of problems. A need emerged to build a strong alliance that would voice its concerns to the government and impact policies, schemes and legislations for Nomadic and Denotified communities at the National level.

Our Journey started by raising issues of Non Pastoral Nomads or NT/DNTs at the national level. We did this specifically in situations where the National commission of NT/DNT and Semi Nomadic Tribes were in place. The idea was to raise NT/DNT issues at the National level to people from Maharshtra Bhatake Vimukta Manch (the state level forum for Non Pastoral Nomads in Maharashta) and other states like Uttar Pradesh, Madya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. We wanted to meet different organizations and individuals who are working with Nomadic tribes. We used the India Social Forum held in Delhi in November 2006 as our platform for raising issues concerning Non Pastoral Nomads at a National level. Many people from various communities and organizations working with Nomadic communities participated in the workshop.

The group that came together for this event also expressed a need to have a long term association. The first National consultation was hosted by BODHGRAM, an organization working in Jaipur (Rajasthan). In that consultation, the group realized that there is no data or contemporary status surveys of Nomadic and Denotified tribes in represented states. So even before we start discussing policy implications, there is need for this group to have a concrete picture of the situation in various states. This set the agenda for the work that the National level group would initiate.

The second Nomad National consultation was hosted by Econet in Pune (Maharashtra). In this meeting we worked on the design of the National group. We discussed the following thematic areas of work as the priority issues to be looked at:

• Perspective development
• Human Rights & Advocacy
• National level strategies
• Community participation in this process
• Education, Health, livelihood, different needs of the community
• Research on data , statistics
• Advocacy with state machinery
• Community strengthening- immediate action- community training

The third National Nomad consultation was held in Ahmadabad (Gujarat) and was hosted by Vicharata Samuday Samarthan Manch. Different Nomadic communities were represented and there was a discussion on what kinds of schemes the community needs, what demand we need to put together, and what are the strategies for getting the need fulfilled. Similarly, there is need of a Census Survey and why we should demand for this. We are looking at it as a strategy towards visibility. The third consultation drew out the needs, demands and strategies of the National commission.

Throughout the process, new organizations have joined us including FFDA (Forum For Fact Finding Documentation and Advocacy) working in Chhattisgarh. Additionally, some organizations have withdrawn from the group including BOHDGRAM and Dalit Sangh.

The National Manch currently represents five states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

PARTNERS IN NATIONAL PROCESS:

ECONET, MAHARASHTRA

VICHARTA SUMUDAY SAMARTHAN MANCH, GUJARAT

NAVJEEVAN, MAHARASHTRA  

SAMVEDANA, MAHARASHTRA

NCNTHR, ANDHRA PRADESH

FORUM FOR FACTFINDING DOCUMENTATION & ADVOCACY, CHATTISGHAR

Mr. Vellakkamu and Community, TAMIL NADU

SSDAS, MAHARASHTRA

NON PASTORAL NOMADIC COMMUNITIES & THEIR COLLECTIVES FROM THE ABOVE STATES