New IDs for Adivasis to enter jungles

Suraj A Bandara

The government will issue new identity cards to the Adivasi community to enter jungles without legal constraints.

This new identity card will include all details of the Adivasi community and it will be valid for use anywhere in the country.

"This step was taken when the government decided to enforce strict laws on wildlife and natural conservation. But since the Adivasi community has birth rights in hunting and living in jungles, these laws will be relaxed on certain matters of their community," sources said.

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena directed Wildlife Director General Dr Chandrawansa Pathiraja to issue the new identity card following a meeting with Adivasi community leader Uruwarige Vanniyela Aththo in Dambana.

Arrangements have been made to look into the grievances of the Adivasi community and grant their demands which include giving preference to Adivasi youth when providing forest related employment and granting permission to obtain forest resources to build traditional houses for community members.