HYDERABADExtending greetings on the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, former Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao urged governments to focus on the welfare, rights, and development of tribal communities and warned that continued neglect of tribal issues could lead to growing unrest in tribal regions.In a statement issued here on Saturday, Mr. Rao said modern-day rulers have largely forgotten the concerns of indigenous communities and stressed the need for practical and effective policies to address their problems. He noted that the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides special protections for tribal areas, must be implemented in both Telugu States in its true spirit.Mr. Rao said the contributions of noted anthropologist Christoph von Furer-Haimendorf, who dedicated his life to protecting the rights, land, culture, and traditions of tribal communities, should be remembered. He also emphasised the importance of safeguarding the principles represented by the slogan “Jal, Zameen, Jungle” (Water, Land and Forest), which symbolises the rights of tribal people over natural resources.Referring to the legacy of tribal freedom fighter Komaram Bheem, Mr. Rao observed that despite decades of struggle and sacrifice, nearly 50% of land in some tribal areas have allegedly come under non-tribal occupation. He said this reflects the extent to which tribal rights continue to face challenges.He urged the government to implement several key measures, including allocating 5% of Tribal Sub-Plan funds directly to gram panchayats in Scheduled Areas. He also called for the strict implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), empowering gram sabhas with authority over minor forest produce, land acquisition matters, and the management of local resources.Mr. Rao further stressed the need to create employment opportunities and skill development programmes for unemployed tribal youth. Failure to address these concerns, he warned, could lead to growing dissatisfaction among the younger generation in tribal regions. Published - August 08, 2026 07:07 pm IST