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PESA Festival Strengthens Tribal Self-Governance and Culture

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is organising a two-day PESA Festival in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to promote awareness and implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, alongside celebrating India’s rich tribal heritage. This event underscores the importance of environmental democracy in tribal areas and the need for a pollution-free environment.

PESA Festival: Objectives and Key Initiatives

  • The two-day PESA Festival will begin in Visakhapatnam, marking a national effort to deepen grassroots democracy in Scheduled Areas.
  • Several governance-focused initiatives will be launched, including a dedicated PESA portal for information dissemination and monitoring implementation of the Act.
  • The Ministry will introduce PESA indicators to assess the status and effectiveness of implementation across different states.
  • Training modules in tribal languages will be rolled out to ensure inclusive capacity building and better understanding of rights among tribal communities.
  • An e-book on Kinnaur district (Himachal Pradesh) will also be released, highlighting best practices and local governance experiences under PESA.

Cultural Significance and Grassroots Participation

  • The festival will showcase sports, art, and cultural activities, reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of India’s tribal traditions.
  • It is envisioned as a national platform to celebrate and preserve the cultural and traditional heritage of tribal communities in PESA areas.
  • Special Gram Sabhas will be organised across all 10 PESA states, reinforcing the central role of Gram Sabha in decision-making.
  • These Gram Sabhas aim to enhance community participation, local planning, and ownership of governance processes.
  • The festival is scheduled to be celebrated annually on 24 December, institutionalising recognition of tribal self-rule and autonomy.

Key points : PESA Act, 1996
● Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA): Extends Part IX of the Constitution to Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule.
● Core Objective: Empower tribal communities through self-governance and decentralised decision-making.
● Gram Sabha Powers: Control over minor forest produce, approval of development plans, and consultation in land acquisition.
● Coverage: Applicable in 10 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
● Significance: Strengthens democratic decentralisation, protects tribal rights, and aligns governance with customary laws and traditions, making PESA a cornerstone of inclusive development.

The PESA Act works in conjunction with other environmental legislation such as the Forest Conservation Act and Coastal Regulation Zone notifications to ensure sustainable development in tribal areas. It embodies the polluter pays principle and promotes a pollution-free environment in these ecologically sensitive regions. The Act’s implementation is guided by environmental jurisprudence, ensuring that development activities in tribal areas are conducted with due consideration for environmental protection and conservation.