Maharashtra Tribal Farmers to Embark on a 53km March to Draw Attention to Non-Implementation of Forest Rights Act

Hundreds of Maharashtra tribal farmers are set to embark on a 53 Kilometre march. The march will begin from Akole to Loni (hometown of Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil). Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is a Minister for Revenue, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development.

The “All India Kisan Sabha” has organized the March going to be held on Wednesday. The “All India Kisan Sabha” held its first ‘Long March’ five years ago. In this march, thousands of farmers participated and walked from Nashik to Mumbai. Tribal communities residing in forest areas complained that they are denied the rights which were assured by the Forest Right Act. All India Kisan Sabha is mostly and hugely supported by tribal communities residing in Nashik and North Maharashtra.

The march was planned to raise attention to the Forest Right Act's lack of passage. The Forest Right Act usually distinguishes between the rights of the tribal tribes that live in the forest and other traditional forest residents to the state's forest resources.

The All India Kisan Sabha's general secretary, Dr Ajit Nevale, said that the organisers had taken all necessary measures to deal with the heat. Volunteers have set up water stations and selected areas for the marchers to stop for the night along the route.

The All India Kisan Sabha has expressed concern over the discussion of importing skimmed milk powder and white butter because dairy products are a significant source of revenue for farmers, particularly at a time when they are still making up for losses from the Covid years. According to Nevale, the BJP in power has lost interest in welfare programmes.

A sit-in protest will take place as the march's finale. Nevale claimed that the march was being made to Loni because Vikhe Patil was typically linked to problems in the tribal areas. In addition, he said that the minister was to blame for the delay whether it was due to the Forest Rights Act's non-implementation or the failure to pay farmers for lost crops.