Mysore/Mysuru: Former Karnataka Law University Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. Eshwar Bhat has bemoaned that though the Constitution has guaranteed several rights and benefits to tribal communities and adivasis, they are yet to reach the community.

He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day National seminar on ‘The role of voluntary organisations serving in tribal areas’ organised jointly by Karnataka  State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI), Department of Legal Studies, University of Mysore (UoM) and School of Law, as part of ‘Birsa Munda Jayanti’ and ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ at the College of Fine Arts  Rangamandira in Manasagangothri campus,  here on Nov. 15.

Observing that land is very much part of everyone’s livelihood, Prof.Bhat argued that conservation of areas inhabited by tribals is crucial for survival and sustenance of adivasis and tribal communities.

Bemoaning that tribal areas are being sold off to members of other communities and land developers through middlemen, he opined that with the selling of land, the culture, traditions and  livelihood of tribals too are vanishing. He called for using all provisions in the Constitution to save the tribal communities and their livelihood, from losing out in this era of modernism and commercialisation.

KSTRI Director S. Rajesh Gowda, Prof. T.R. Maruti of Law School, Prof. Ramesh, faculty Souwmya and others were present.