Dimapur, August 12 (MExN): North East Institute of Social Science & Research (NEISSR) observed the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9 at NEISSR conference hall here.
The MSW first semester students performed a short play highlighting the rights of the indigenous people, informed a press release from the institute.
Dr Amit Das, Asst. Prof. and Longngan Buchem, MSW III semester student spoke on the relevance of the day in asserting the indigenous peoples’ rights and necessities of taking responsibilities towards a sustainable future in the face of growing threats to the land and natural resources and of the climate change related looming disasters.
Quoting UN sources, Buchem highlighted that there are approximately 370 million indigenous peoples worldwide belonging to more than 5,000 distinct tribes in over 72 countries. While the indigenous peoples total only about 6% of the world’s population, they represent 90% of the cultural diversity, he added. Indigenous peoples hold 20% of the earth’s land mass, it was further stated.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Fr. CP, Anto, principal of the institute, highlighted the privileges of Article 371 A, namely the religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and its resources.
“It provides adequate protection and safeguards to indigenous/ tribal populations, their lands, identities and cultures,” he opined.
Fr. Anto further invited the students to understand the constitutional provisions of Article 371 A to make the best of it in advancing rights of indigenous peoples in India in the contemporary context. “And it is the duty of the social workers to empower and enlighten our people about it,” he added.
