MP Government’s Order on Tribal Surveillance Faces Opposition

Source: Morning Standard | June 10, 2024

Background of the Government Order

On January 29, 2024, the Madhya Pradesh government, through the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Shubhranjan Sen, issued an order mandating intensive search and surveillance of nomadic and denotified tribes.

The order specifically included the Pardhi community, which is classified as a Scheduled Tribe in several forest circles of Madhya Pradesh, including Narmadapuram, Seoni, Chhindwara, Betul, Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Balaghat.

Nature of Surveillance Measures

The order called for:
• Search operations using dog squads at the residences of nomadic tribes
• Documentation and reporting of denotified tribe members to the nearest police stations
• Monitoring of trading activities of nomadic groups involved in selling plastic household items, bedsheets, herbs, and forest produce
• Special surveillance in tiger corridors and forest landscapes

These measures were justified by the administration as a preventive step against illegal poaching activities.

Context of Poaching Concerns

The surveillance order was issued against the backdrop of:
• The arrest of Ajeet Pardhi, an alleged poacher, by the Maharashtra Forest Department in January 2025
• A prior arrest by Madhya Pradesh forest officials in July 2024, after he had remained absconding for nearly 11 years

Authorities cited these incidents to argue that heightened vigilance in forest regions was necessary.

Anthropological Concerns and Criticism

Experts and tribal rights advocates have strongly opposed the order, arguing that it reflects a colonial legacy of criminalisation of nomadic and denotified tribes.

From an anthropological perspective, such surveillance:
• Reinforces collective suspicion of entire communities
• Revives stigmas associated with denotified tribes
• Ignores the socio-economic vulnerability of nomadic populations

Violation of Constitutional and Legal Safeguards

Critics point out that the order undermines the peaceful enjoyment of rights guaranteed under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, particularly:
• Right to residence and livelihood
• Protection from arbitrary eviction
• Recognition of customary forest use

The order also raises concerns regarding:
• Article 14 (Equality before law)
• Article 21 (Right to life and dignity)
• Principles of procedural fairness and proportionality

Relevance to UPSC Aspirants

This issue is important for understanding:
• The historical treatment of denotified and nomadic tribes
• Tensions between forest conservation and tribal rights
• Limits of state power under constitutional safeguards
• Contemporary challenges in implementing the Forest Rights Act, 2006

Relevant UPSC Anthropology PYQs :

1. “Customary laws and environmental conservation.” (10 Marks, 2023)
2. “Examine the contributions of S. C. Roy in highlighting the role of customary laws in tribal life.” (15 Marks, 2021)