FSD Annual Report for 2019-2020

“We need to give huge emphasis on Education as the way to escape poverty and the key to change the world” - Metilda Family, Former Slaves

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2019-2020

Envisioning a Peaceful Society with Equality, Prosperity, Liberty, and Dignity

FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Email: [email protected] Web: www.fsdindia.org!1 Mobile: 8300003900

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020

!2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a leading dedicated progressive organization for the advancement of adivasi communities in fighting poverty and social injustice. We create equal space for women and children for their rights and special emphasis is given to abolish the bonded labour system, preventing human trafficking, promoting economic equality, gender equity, improvement of rural villages, space for mother tongue-based multilingual education, investment on young children and conservation of common property resources for the best of next generation. In this process, we would like to acknowledge all our supports and well-wishers.

The FSD is pleased to thank many organisations, agencies, departments, individuals, institutions and staff members for their continuous support and cooperation to implement the vision of organization. The project activities consumed huge amount of work, field research and dedication. Still, implementation would not have been possible if we did not have a support of many individuals, agencies and organisations. Hence, we extend our sincere gratitude to all of them.

First of all, we are thankful to all our donors, supporters, partners, local community leaders, friends, and visitors for their financial support and for providing necessary guidance concerning on implementation of the projects to promote social justice, equality, dignity in the society.

We are grateful to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Women & Child Development and State Governments of Telangana, Tamilnadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Individuals from Media and Auditors for provision of opportunities, information, expertise, and technical support in implementing activities. Without their involvement, cooperation and participation, the experience of quality outcomes and successful stories could not have appeared.

We also would like to express our sincere thanks towards staff members, network leaders, volunteers, members of the community-based organisations, educational institutions, our associated banks, adivasi villages, tribal panchayat leaders, board of directors who all devoted their time and knowledge in executing project goals.

Nevertheless, we express our gratitude toward our families and colleagues for their kind cooperation and encouragement, which help us in successful implementation of project activities and management of the FSD organization.

With Sincerely

Dr. K. KRISHNAN, M.A., B.L., M.Phil., Ph.D., Executive Director - Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) Secretary General - National Adivasi Solidarity Council (NASC) Mobile: 8300003900, 8144170046 Tel: (+91) 04174257536/257234 Email: [email protected] Web: www.fsdindia.org Twitter: @KRISHNANJK2

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 2. HISTORY OF THE FSD ORGANIZATION 3. VISION OF FSD ORGANIZATION 4. MISSION OF FSD ORGANIZATION 5. OBJECTIVES OF FSD ORGANIZATION 6. ACTIVITIES OF FSD ORGANIZATION 7. ETHICS, VALUES & PRINCIPLES ADOPTED BY ORGANISATION 8. ORGANIZATION BELIEVES 9. APPROACHES IN PROJECTS 10. REVIEW AND REPORTING SYSTEMS 11. AREAS OF FSD INTERVENTION - MAJOR ACTIVITIES 12. EMPOWERMENT OF ADIVASI COMMUNITIES 13. ELIMINATION OF BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM & HUMAN TRAFFICKING 14. IMPROVEMENT OF LIVELIHOODS AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS 15. MIGRANT WORKERS IN UNORGANISED SECTORS 16. CHILD RIGHTS PROTECTION PROGRAMME 17. ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION AND ADOPTING CLIMATE CHANGE 18. HIGHLIGHTS 19. CONCLUSION

!4 INTRODUCTION

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is working for the legal rights of the most vulnerable adivasi communities in southern India, with the coordination of the National Adivasi Solidarity Council (NASC). Specific focus of the organisation is—promoting women’s rights, protecting children, addressing needs of the migrant communities and empowering rural poor to overcome violence and differences of their social, health, economic, educational, cultural, legal and human rights through establishing equality for dignified life.

Name of the Organisation : Foundation for Sustainable Development

Acronym : FSD

Operating Country : India

Address : FSD Coordination Office Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) J. K. Farm House, Veerangkuppam, Ambur, Vellore District, Tamilnadu State, India, Pin Code: 635802

Website : Web: www.fsdindia.org Email : Email: [email protected] Mobile : (+91) 8144170046, (+91) 8300003900

Branch Office : Telangana State Office: Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) Street No 1, Taranaka, Secunderabad Hyderabad, Telangana State Mobile: 8008605222 Contact Person: Shri C.H. Vasudev Rao, State Coordinator

: Kerala State Office: Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) C/o JVALA, Kalpetta North. P.O. Wayanad District - 613122, Kerala State, Mobile: 9387422811 / 9562921098 Contact Person: Shri C.K. Dineshan, State Coordinator

: Tamilnadu Branch Office: Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) Flat No:3, Aaladiamman Koil Street, Polacherry, Chennai - 600 127 Mobile: 9489908932 (Rani) 9489908934 (Balan) Contact Person: Shri. M. Balan, State Coordinator

: Andhra Pradesh Office: Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) PPT Office, Door No -13-42, LB Nagar, Tirupati – AP State, Mobile: 9848242394 Contact Person: Shri. M.Srinivasulu, State Coordinator !5 HISTORY OF THE FSD ORGANIZATION

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a secular organisation, which was established in the year of September 2004 by the young professional social workers for exploring socio- economic development opportunities of the Scheduled Tribe Communities with the support of Ford Foundation, Australian High Commission, International Justice Mission and others. Since its inception, the projects and activities are executed towards people-centred, ecologically sustainable and just society that promotes and protects dignity, equality, social justice and human rights for all with prime focus on women and children with participatory approach.

The work of the organisation is noticeable in the States of Tamilnadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Puducherry. The organisation is reaching directly to 264,000 people in 1080 villages covering 40 districts towards establishing the assured public justice system for the poor to live with freedom and dignity. The organisation is networking with various civil society groups, government, community associations, and with media along with National Adivasi Solidarity Council for making differences.

FSD organisation is adopting strong values in accountability, transparency and conducting periodical review, monitoring as well as evaluation process in assessments on the projects. It has policies such as Equal Employment Opportunities and action against discriminations, Finance Management Policy, Procurement Policy, Gender Equality Policy, Staff Welfare Policy and Child Rights and Protection Policy.

The Administration Office of FSD is located in J. K. Farm House, Veerangkuppam, about seven kilometres from Ambur town, in Vellore District, west of Chennai (187 kms) towards Bangalore in Tamilnadu State. Ambur town is about 160 kms from Bangalore on the way to Chennai. The centre and the projects are managed by the professionally qualified team. The centre includes staff and director room, documentation room, meeting hall along with medicinal plants and tree nursery with communication support service.

VISION OF FSD ORGANIZATION

Foundation for Sustainable Development, recognises that eradicating poverty in all its forms and causes, combatting discrimination and violence, preserving the environment and forest resources, stimulating sustainable and inclusive growth, advocating for constitutional rights and envisioning a peaceful society with equality, liberty, prosperity and dignity for all.

MISSION OF FSD ORGANIZATION

To empower the vulnerable communities to tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality to achieve prosperity. To protect the underprivileged from violence and injustice thru enforcing the public justice system by upholding accountability of authorities. To activate systems to function systematically for the wellbeing of all citizens towards sustainable social change with professional ethics and values.

!6 OBJECTIVES OF FSD ORGANIZATION

1. To create awareness among the rural and tribal people on the welfare schemes, pro-poor legislations, importance of education, economic development, health care, agricultural, environmental and fundamental rights for ensuring social justice with dignified life. 2. To enhance sustainable livelihood opportunities to overcome economic discriminations through formation of self-help groups with women’s leadership and strengthening community empowerment process for gender just society. 3. To motivate panchayat raj institutions to reduce poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, displacement and to conserve all natural resources like water, land, forest, and coastal areas towards sustainable resource management for the best of present and future generations. 4. To enable the socially, educationally, politically, culturally and economically vulnerable sections of society in order to realise their basic rights with constitutional provisions by helping people to help themselves with democratic principles. 5. To improve best opportunities for the adolescents and youth to overcome distress, depression, insecurity, and improve skills to coop with new digital developments. 6. To conduct village meetings, periodic lectures, disaster management awareness training programs, conferences, seminars, surveys, reports and documentations to benefit underprivileged people and to promote peace , justice and cooperation in the society. 7. To develop evidence based information through research, data collection and survey on social issues and using the facts for bringing appropriate policies and legislations.

ACTIVITIES OF FSD ORGANIZATION

1. Empowering Indigenous Communities – primarily women and children who are socially, educationally, economically, politically, culturally and physiologically neglected groups.

2. Establishing Education Movement for the advancement of Adivasi Communities - increasing literacy rate, activating schools, preventing dropouts and promoting school-going attitude with the participation of community and government.

3. Enhancing Sustainable Livelihoods - ending poverty, migration, displacement, prohibiting moneylenders’ exploitation, preventing bonded labour system, human trafficking, organizing women to overcome difficulties including violence, gender rights, building skills of youth with leadership qualities and helping them to sustain development equalities.

4. Enforcing Rights-Based Legislations - such as the Minimum Wages Act 1948, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, Recognition of Forest Rights Act 2006, Right to Education Act 2009, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act 2015, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 and Early Childhood Care and Education Policy for the advancement of adivasi communities.

5. Exploring possible opportunities for cross-learning between community-based organisations, self-help groups, and sharing of best practices for scaling up to expand into similar locations.

6. Environment Conservation and regeneration of Forest Resources with the participation of tribal community members in bio-diversity protection for the best of present and future generations. !7 STRENGTH & STANDARDS AT FSD ORGANISATION

1. FSD is recognising that all people are born free and equal in dignity; therefore it respects fundamental human rights of everyone and promotes integrity and unity within the society.

2. FSD organization is responsible and accountable for its service executing towards reaching sustainable progress in the society, creating peace, ensuring justice and balancing individual and public concerns at all level by adopting democratic principles.

3. FSD is organized and operated as a not-for-profit organization. Any surplus that is generated through its operations is to be utilised solely to help the organization for fulfilling its mission. The organization is not to be operated for the primary purpose of carrying on a trade or business, unrelated to its objectives.

4. FSD is consciousness and seriousness that all donations and funding are public money, therefore it should be used for fulfilling the aims and objectives of organization which is towards public purposes and gain public trust.

5. FSD is willing to work beyond borders of politics, religion, caste, language, culture, race and ethnicity, within the limits of the organizing documents and with organisations and individuals that share common values and objectives.

6. FSD is aiming to uphold transparent in all of its dealings and functions with the government, the public, donors, partners, beneficiaries, and other interested parties for increased transparency and accountability in development field.

7. FSD is adopting values of basic financial information, governance structure, activities, and listing of officers and partnerships shall be open and accessible to public scrutiny and the FSD is to make effort to inform the public about its work and the origin and use of its resources.

8. FSD is accountable for its actions and decisions, not only to its funding agencies and the government and but also to the community to whom it serves, and to the beneficiaries of the project, its staff and members, partner organisations, network members and the public at large with professional response.

9. FSD is meeting all of the legal obligations in the country and following laws and rules of incorporation, accepting income tax rules, adopting fundraising legislation, equal employment opportunity principles, health and safety standards, staff welfare, privacy rules, and copyright legislation, and so forth.

10. FSD is fulfilling its obligations according to the laws on which it is organized and functioning. FSD is very strongly opposing to, and never be a willing partner to, corruption, bribery, terrorism, anti-national elements, extremism and other improprieties or illegalities.

!8 11. FSD is maintaining independence and not be rigidly aligned or affiliated with any political party, although it may share a common political or legislative cause within the limit of its objectives and legal structure on line with its vision & mission.

12. FSD is exploring possibilities and creating equal opportunities for the development of weaker sections by adopting people-cantered approach with non-judgmental attitude. It is building community ability for promoting leadership quality through strengthening of cross learning and sharing of best solutions.

13. FSD is a constantly learning organization and standardising its financial review systems for promoting public transparency and accountability with participatory review and reflections.

14. In order to achieve objectives of FSD, the organization is having meaningful contributions from the volunteers, donors, members and it includes both the target group and supporters. Each member of the board of directors / trustees are fully understanding and supporting to the mission of FSD organization to accomplish its specified objectives.

15. The mission of the FSD shall be reviewed periodically to determine if it is still relevant. Among issues to evaluate: (a) whether the mission has been fulfilled, either by the organization or another entity, and thus whether there is a need for the organization as currently constituted to continue to exist; (b) whether the mission should be revised to reflect societal changes; or (c) whether there is a desire for the FSD to address new needs that might require a new mission.

16. The activities of the FSD organization is critically examined periodically to determine their relevancy to the mission, their efficiency and effectiveness, the value of continuing the programs or revising them, and the need for new projects. Among subjects to evaluate: (1) whether the activities are consistent with the current mission of the organization or whether they need to be revised or discontinued in light of changes in the mission; (2) the efficiency and effectiveness of the projects in achieving the objectives; (3) the outcomes and impacts of the project on the society; (4) the need for fund raising and development of new plans/proposals.

17. It is reasonability of the governing board to approve the annual plan and budget and actively participate in the fundraising process. In approving the annual budget of activities, the governing body is to ascertain the percentage of the resources spent on administration and fundraising, versus program expenses, and strive for a goal of at least 65% of revenue being used for programs, and ideally greater than 80% of its budget.

18. The governing body shall manage the resources effectively, and provide oversight regarding rules and legal requirements.

19. It is duty of the FSD to exhibit genuine public accountability and transparency, and should be honest in the information that it makes available to the public on its finance and programs.

!9 APPROACHES IN PROJECTS

1. Child Rights Approach: The organization is ensuring in all programs and proceedings that child rights perspective is given most importance, which is part of the FSD vision.

2. Gender justice Approach: Promoting women’s participation, rights of the adolescents, protection of girl children & equal opportunities without gender disparities is executed in all projects & plans which will lead towards foundation for a gender-just society.

3. Rights-based Approach: Organizing the grassroots vulnerable communities to attain constitutional rights and explore benefits of welfare legislations for the protection of human rights — as right to equality & social justice which is important purpose of the FSD foundation.

4. Participatory Approach: Implementing participatory process in all the activities, decision-making process, events and projects for developing democracy with participatory approach with increased accountability.

5. Networking Approach: Strengthening networking tactics in all the interventions for creating massive impacts with small investment and greater coverage towards sustainable action. It is one of the mechanisms of FSD approach in realising its ambitions.

6. Stakeholders Involvement Approach: Encouraging multiple stakeholders’ participation in problem investigation, program designing and implementation gives greater opportunities to contribute System Reforms and leverages changes. Strengthening healthy relationship between FSD organisation and its stakeholders will enhance successful performance to achieve the mission of organisation.

REVIEW & REPORTING SYSTEMS

The Foundation has its own systems, procedures and policies for the effective management of projects. These policies are prepared based on the bylaws, legal background and discussed with board of trustees, advisors, staff and community leaders. We implement all the project activities created with objectives and agreements. The standard systems and policies are monitored regularly. These policies are established for assuring best quality, great impact and uniqueness in every step of the organization. We have a chief functionary who is head of the projects, a programme team which implements projects, the finance unit that does accounting, and have auditors for auditing and finance reporting. We have communication unit, which does all reporting and documentation. The audited accounts statements along with annual reports of the organization are circulated to concern stakeholders for their reflection and we main accountability and transparency in all our functions.

!10 AREAS OF FSD INTERVENTION

Emerging issues are major challenges for establishing social justice and ensuring development of adivasi groups and other marginalised communities in the present world. Issues such as Discrimination, displacement, denationalisation, deforestation, land-alienation, indebtedness, digital-media battle, neoliberalisation, forced migration, trafficking, labour exploitation, starvation, sickness, atrocities, unaccountability, gender-bias, social-exclusion, corruption, adulteration and climate change are major threats for humanity and sustainability.

What we need is participatory action in trust with inclusive approach, to overcome obstacles and challenges for the sustainable development to the best of future generation with long-term vision. In fact, we have wonderful laws in our country and extremely best government systems to provide equal opportunity for everyone. But, the problem is priority to the issue, active functions of the systems, attitude in approach, commitment of the officials, participation of citizens, implementation with responsibilities and utility of the public justice systems. It is extremely important that we take participation for proper implementation of legal systems so that the state becomes as ultimate responsible for ensuring “right to development with dignity”.

With this formula, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is dedicated for the improvement of vulnerable communities in fighting poverty, eliminating discriminations and promoting social justice with inclusive approach. FSD is a non-profit development organization has legally registered under the Government of India and practicing finance policy, staff welfare policy, gender policy, child welfare policy, procurement policy, women’s rights policy and adopting equal employment system along-with unique values. Areas of intervention by FSD are listed into 6 activities which are implemented in the states of Tamilnadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana through networking with responsible committed leaders. Focus areas are…

1. Empowerment of Adivasi Communities 2. Elimination of Bonded Labour System & Human Trafficking 3. Improvement of Livelihoods and Women’s Rights 4. Migrant Workers in Unorganised Sectors 5. Child Rights Protection Programme 6. Environment Conservation and Adopting Climate Change

Coverage/Target Locations

FSD is working for the advancement of most marginalised adivasi communities in Southern India - covering 2 Districts in Andhra Pradesh, 3 Districts in Kerala, 4 Districts in Karnataka, 16 Districts in Tamilnadu, 14 Districts in Telangana, 1 District in Puducherry and we are 14 Districts reaching to 264,000 people in 1200 villages at 4 Districts 40 districts in 6 States of India. We are moving 2 Districts towards establishing the assured public justice 3 Districts system to live a life with freedom and dignity. 1 District 16 Districts !11 1. EMPOWERMENT OF ADIVASI COMMUNITIES:

BACKGROUND: Adivasi Communities - known as Scheduled Tribes constitute 8.9% of India’s population, with 10,42,81,034 persons. Tribals or indigenous people are generally called ‘Adivasis’ implying ‘original Inhabitants’ of the land. Prior to the Indian Constitution, the tribes were variously termed, as aboriginals, adivasis, forest tribes, hill tribes, primitive tribes, nomadic, etc. Tribes were included under the head of ‘Depressed Classes’ by the British Rulers in 1919. Then, as per the Census Report of 1931, tribals names were classified differently and they are listed as ‘Primitive Tribes’. And in 1941, they are known as ‘Tribes’ and in 1951, they are listed as ‘Scheduled Tribes’. The term ‘tribe’ has not been defined in the Constitution of India. The term ‘Scheduled Tribes’ was inserted in the Constitution vide Article 342(i), which empowered the President of India to specify the tribes communities by public notification. At present, there are over 705 Scheduled Tribes (STs) spread all over the country and among them 75 communities are particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) with special provisions for their socio-economic development through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) of the Government of India. In the present days, the adivasi people face major problems which can be classified into displacement, deforestation, violence, poverty, land alienation, health problems, illiteracy, forced migration, bonded labour system, indebtedness and identity crisis.

Status of Scheduled Tribes / Adivasi Communities According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 56% of Scheduled Tribes are displaced due to development project like construction of Displaced due to 56% discrimination dams, mines, industrial development and the creation of wildlife parks and tiger sanctuaries. According to the Socio- 63% Living in Poverty due to violence Economic Review report (2018), over 63% of the scheduled tribes (STs) live in below poverty line (BPL) and live in poorest Illiterate and situation and 78% are illiterate. As per the 78% uneducated 2011 Census, 69% are landless, 75% are unemployed and above 60% are migrant labourers. Poverty lies among adivasi people 75% Unemployed or Seeking Work and they are deprived of rights of freedom, equality, justice and lack of opportunity for education and development. Among them, women and children are the most affected Seasonal/Regular 60% Migrant workers and vulnerable population in tribal society due to several reasons. Apart from these issues, the Climate Change and Global 69% Landless Labourers Warming has introduced many other issues like not-rain, no water and no employment.

!12 Adivasi groups are at the lowest point of almost every socio-economic indicators in India. Violence is used as weapon and it leads to discrimination further displacement. Violence creates domination, differences and deprivation. This leads to exploitation in all aspects and it makes poverty and illiteracy as outcome of discrimination/violence. Hence, it is important to adopt suitable strategies to promote participatory development for inclusive approach for the advancement of adivasi people.

FSD ACTIVITIES:

• Conducting regular village meetings and formation of community-based organisations in 42 locations covering all Southern States and preparing the tribal groups to improve literacy rate, enhance economic development with local-land based livelihoods, revive traditional medicinal knowledge and identity for the advancement of tribal communities. • Promotion of tribal women’s leadership and formation of adivasi women self-help groups for improving socio-economic and gender equality as part of tribal women’s empowerment process. • Developing Human Rights Defenders among adivasi communities to secure Tribal Human Rights through campaign on Civil, Political and Economic Rights for achieving equality and justice. This is done by conducting workshops to understand the whole aspects of legal systems and the constitutional rights and its provisions for the Empowerment of Adivasi Communities. • Organising meetings and dialogues on the national and international legal provisions in view with the current status of the tribal communities by focussing on UDHR, CEDEAW, UNCRC, ILO conventions, UN declarations and Indian national acts like FRA, POA, BLSA, PESA, RTE, NREGA, RTI and judgements related to protection of adivasis human rights. • Capacity building programmes on fact-finding and documenting on human rights issues and protecting adivasi rights by application of legal perspectives along with the involvement of bureaucrats, judiciary, legislatives with NGOs, Lawyers, movement leaders in Human Rights Monitoring and intervention with collaboration of community-based organisations. • Organised public awareness conventions on pro-tribal legislations for the development Adivasis through major events such as the ‘Masimagam’ - revival of tribal identity programs. • Promotion of Community Lawyers by organising special training programs to the Adivasi Leaders and Women activists on the fundamental rights as human rights protectors in their locations and also integrating and networking with regional and national human rights organisations. • Strengthening of Legal Aid Action for protecting adivasi human rights through task-force team, issue-based actions, media intervention, emergency support and rehabilitation activities. • Fact-finding on human rights violations and supporting with case studies and dissemination of information for preventing injustice in tribal areas. This is activated by mapping of human rights violations, legal interventions and advocacy work with judiciary systems for the rights of tribal children, women and men. Further to this, undertaking issues related displacement, land alienation, eviction, forced labour, bonded labour, atrocities and economic rights violation and activating community lawyers with advocacy process by using pro-tribal legislations. • Organising NASC network meetings, participation with other human rights protection meetings, documentation of legal support activities for the promotion of Adivasi Human Rights. • Translation of useful laws in the local languages and publication of posters, booklets, hand-outs and educating the people to use legal systems and make the local police, revenue, forest and other state departments to understand the legal rights of adivasi communities of India.

!13 2. ELIMINATION OF BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM AND PREVENTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING ISSUES:

Bonded Labour System is a crime and forcefulness on powerless. It is a historical injustice practiced with violence against the poor for exploitation. Disadvantaged groups are the victims for generations in countries like India where the caste, class and feudal systems are used for discriminations. Bonded Labour is a practice in which employers give high-interest loans to workers who work at low wages to pay off the debt. This system is illegal and it was abolished by Article 23 and the legislation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976. However, the practise is existing in many parts of the country and millions of people are forced to work under this unlawful System due to extreme poverty and illiteracy.

Maximum number of bonded labourers belong to a minority ethnic group particularly vulnerable tribal communities–example Chenchu Tribe in Telangana, Irula Tribe in Tamilnadu, Yenadi in Andhra Pradesh, Paniyar in Kerala, Soura in Odisha and others are forced into this issue. Savar in Bihar, Bharia in Chhattisgarh, Saharia in Rajasthan, Kandha and Sauura in Odisha and large number of tribal population migrate to neighbouring states for searching employment for their livelihood and most of the migrant labourers who work in different parts of the country are from poorest tribal areas. Many of them are depending on monsoon rain for agriculture and in recent years the change in climate further pushed them in bonded labour system which is inevitable in the rural areas. Bonded labourers are always vulnerable in all conditions.

The ‘Bonded Labour System’ refers to “the relationship between a creditor and a debtor who obtains loan owing to economic compulsions confronting his day-to-day life, and agrees to abide by the terms dictated by the creditor”. The ‘bonded labour’ means “any persons who are forced to work with compulsion for the creditors for the loan incurred by him” is a bonded labour. When a pledge to provide services to pay off debt is made by an individual, the employer often illegally inflates interest rates at an unreasonable amount, making it impossible for the individual to leave bonded labour. Debt bondage only applies to individuals who have no hopes of leaving the labour due to inability to ever pay debt back. Bonded labour flourishes because of poverty, illiteracy, displacement, discrimination and forced migration. Limited access to social justice, quality education and employment for the discriminated groups makes it difficult to get out of poverty.

ROLE OF THE FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is working to eradicate bonded labour system and has identified and rescued number of innocent-illiterate-indigence workers from various types of industries in all Southern States. Forced labour and debt bondage are common practice across the primary, secondary and tertiary development sectors in different parts of the country.

Industries found to be involved in the contemporary forms of slavery system include but are not restricted to brick-kilns, farming, canal works, constructions, irrigation, rock quarries, cotton fields, bangles, plantations and domestic works. Every year thousands of people are trafficked from tribal areas for a variety of reasons including sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ transplantation, imposed adoption, coerced marriage, and forced to work as labourers which are violating basic fundamental rights of the Constitution. Women and children of the vulnerable groups face huge problems and violence. Bonded labour and trafficking in persons appears to be a growing epidemic in our country. Hence, FSD is aiming to end Bonded Labour crime and safeguard rights and dignity of the vulnerable workers with the association of various district administrations in different states by involving in identification, rescue, rehabilitation, prosecution and prevention strategies.

!14 THE BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM (ABOLITION) ACT 1976:

The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act is intended to strike against the system of bonded labour practice which has been a shameful scar on the Indian social scene for many decades, which has continued to disfigure the life of the nation even after independence. Taking into account of, the purpose of the BLSA Act 1976, is clearly states that requirement of speedy action to abolish the bonded labour system and the law is formulated as victim centric and welfare legislation to implement the basic structure of the constitution. The reason behind the law is to secure to all its citizens – justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and assuring the dignity of the individual. So, top priority of the district administration is quick transformation of public justice system by implementing all provisions specified under this Act.

Under Section 10-12, of the Act, the District Magistrate (DM) and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) are authorised to ensure the release of identified bonded labourers on the basis of information or complaints obtained from any person whether oral or written. They would also formulate suitable schemes for the rehabilitation of freed bonded labourers – land based, non-land based; keeping in view the preferences, felt needs and interests of the beneficiaries. Most important role of the district administration includes;

• Survey and identification of bonded labourers as per legal provisions; • Release of bonded labourers by adopting standard operating procedures; • Action against offenders, i.e., creditors who had engaged bonded labour, forced labour and other similar forms of exploitation; • Holding of regular meetings and functions of the Vigilance Committees at district & sub- divisional level with all line departments; • Rehabilitation and repatriation of the rescued bonded labourers; • Maintenance of the prescribed registers, documents, evidences; and • Implementing court directions, state and central government orders, guidelines provided by the National Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

The activities are mandatory as per the legislation and additional guidance are provided through Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 2017 declared by the Ministry of Labour & Employment. The enquiry process has to be conducted with the workers separately with the fair and free environment and in the absence of the owners or perpetrators. The workers have to feel free to share their views and problems. The approach of the enquiry officers must be very friendly and kindly as per the instruction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India which mentioned in their repeated judgements.

ACTIVITIES OF FSD IN ELIMINATING BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM:

1. Conducting prevalence studies, collection of facts, data and eliminating the issue of bonded labour system and human trafficking with organised plan of action. 2. Activating vigilance committees and its functions as per the legal provisions through regular monitoring process to establish fundamental rights and dignity at the work in all sectors. 3. Implementing labour welfare legislations and increasing accountability of duty bearers to achieve the vision of the Constitution of India and eliminating bonded labour system. 4. Abolishing contemporary forms of slavery system by increasing responsibilities of the citizens and accountability of authorities through regular monitoring with legal interventions. 5. Creating outlines and approaches in identification, rescue, prosecution, rehabilitation and building community-based action to eliminate injustice and develop nation with equality.

!15 6. Mobilising grassroots communities and addressing root-cause of the problems to overcome economic difficulties, social discrimination, violence, injustice and inequality in all aspects. 7. Utilising local self-government system and schemes for sustainable rehabilitation through capacity-building process, helping to better access to health care, right to food, right to education, housing and increasing ability in bargaining power. 8. Advocating with policy makers along with media support to eliminate the bonded labour system by implementing state action plan and regular review methods. 9. Involving multiple-stakeholders for ensuring the public justice system to safeguard the rights of the voiceless and weaker sections of the society. 10. Documenting and reporting of stories for sharing of best practices to similar situations to sustain prosperity and dignified for all.

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS OF FSD IN ELIMINATING BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM

Rehabilitation Cash of INR Rs.4,74,48,990 is obtained for Prosecution Rehabilitation the survivors FSD extended Supported for legal action for Livelihoods & 46 cases to Entitlements for protect 723 the survivors of victims 36 Districts

Liberation Prevention FSD rescued 7410 FSD activated bonded labourers Vigilance (Survivors / Freed Committees in Bonded Laborers) 47 Districts

Identiﬁcation Association FSD identiﬁed Formed released 546,000 distress bonded laborers workers through associations in interaction 10 Districts

Sensitisation Execution FSD created FSD completed awareness for 157 successful 450,000 rescues during 6 Persons years in 4 States

!16 3. IMPROVEMENT OF LIVELIHOODS TO OVERCOME POVERTY AND ENHANCING WOMEN’S RIGHTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

BACKGROUND: In a global context, Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation are no longer an option but a fact. Whether one likes it or not, it is bound to influence all spheres of life and activities. Developing countries like India facing several issues and especially the indigenous communities (Adivasis) are victims of these developments. In recent decades the large scale privatisation process for sake of “development” has emerged as the biggest threat and complication to tribal’s survival — forcing displacement and enforced migration which disturbed tribal’s peaceful and harmonious lifestyle. More than 70% of the Indian population is rural based — and is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture and allied activities. Among them tribal people are totally depended on natural resources for their livelihoods. The emergence of industry and multi-national market economy has disturbed the age old tribal and nature relation. Taking the anthropological perspective into account the present pattern of approach in economic development is further reinforcing poverty and leading into unsustainable. During the British period the local villagers were mostly depending on forest resources for their livelihoods. They used to collect various forest based products and herbs from nearby forest. The villagers were managing the forest and adopting sustainable cultivation with small land-holding pattern. Due to industrial needs and violent encroachment displacement become common and further leaded into various types of exploitation. The tribals, their lands, and other resources are now exposed to the exploitative market forces, mostly to exploit minerals and other natural resources. Land alienation of the tribals by the powerful entities has become common phenomena which increased indescribable migrations that rooted due to violence on voiceless. Among the victims of land alienation and migration, women became sufferers of oppression. So it is important to revive tribal women’s leadership over economy with matriarchy values to overcome poverty and inequality. Women’s Rights are Human Rights – the world has taken so many years to recognise this rights. The Charter of the United Nations, signed in 1945, was the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men. Since then, the UN has helped create a historic legacy of internationally - agreed strategies, standards, programmes and goals to advance the status of women worldwide in every community. This is an opportunity for the women to regain their rights and dignity. Empowerment of women continues to be a central feature of the FSD efforts to address social, economic, health, cultural, political and gender challenges. Therefore, activities of the FSD is focused on women’s leadership and livelihoods development to overcome differences.

FSD ACTIVITIES: Establishing women’s livelihood rights, increasing their capability, strengthening their participation in decision making process and improving their leadership talents will reduce poverty and assures sustainable development. In this calculation, the FSD organisation is working in tribal villages for reviving sustainable development. Livelihood strategies are influenced by ‘access to and control over resources, entree to markets, access to assets, information and organization, effective management of entrepreneurship activities, skills in vulnerability management and the interaction of these policies at the local, regional, national and global levels’. FSD believes that if opportunities created the task will be comfortable. So, the livelihoods activities are focused on adivasi women’s participation because gender and livelihood issues are incorporated and inter-connected.

• Formation and strengthening of women’s self-help groups (SHG) in all target villages to protect and assert their basic rights, increase savings skills, fight against violence on women, protect adolescent girls, force the state for gender equality policy, equal wages and support for livelihoods development of SHG members to challenge poverty and inequality. !17 • FSD is introducing various types of Income Generation Programs (IGP) and land-based economic development schemes to reduce vulnerability and overcome poverty. This has gained new development among the tribal people to revive gender-justice perspectives. • FSD facilitated various network members and provided livelihoods and rights-based trainings which supported for the formation of community-based human rights watches’ groups with women’s leadership to assert women’s rights and to fight against patriarchy systems. • FSD implemented poverty eradication programmes that created direct impact among the 15000 women and another 80000 women (as indirect beneficiaries) through field-based results in the 8 districts with the active role of Tribal, Forest and Rural development departments. • Public motivated to take participation in the campaign to “stop violence against women” in 300 villages in which various stakeholders involved and supported for reservation to women and protection of women’s rights along with coordination of Women’s World Summit Foundation. • Many villages women’s self-help groups improved their livelihoods, supported to overcome poverty and played vital role in preventing migration and bonded labour system. • Adivasi women leaders started utilising at the optimum level on the benefit of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED), Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme (PMHS), Tribal Sub-plan (TSP), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) and accessing other government Welfare Schemes like Ujjwala. • Leadership qualities of the rural and tribal women is helping to advocate for effective implementation of the pro-women’s rights laws such as the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Panchayat Raj Reservation Act (PRI) and other legal provisions for women’s rights. • Best practices are documented as models and adopted for replication in similar areas.

Support for Rural RBL Association: Women’s Livelihoods: Formed Released Seed Grant provided Bonded Labour to promote individual Associations (RBL) business women in and introduced local 8 Naickaneri Hills employments like 7 Petty Shops, Goat Irula Women Project: Rearing, Handicrafts Formation of SHGs & with CSR contribution promotion of Herbal Some of the Products with tribal 6 Successful Model of 2 women participation. Identifying local IGPs among STs resources: including Aasanoor Project: Honey Collection, Formation of FRCs and Value addition, and Collection of NTFPs - Marketing guidance Natural Products on with needed skill 4 Economic Empowerment training through SHG methods Revival of Traditional Skills & Knowledge Sivagiri Project: and promotion of Utilizing NREGA Eco Tourism – E.g. funds for irrigation Kadars in Aanamalai and cooperative Amaragiri Project: Utilizing local Kanis in Pechuparai crop cultivation resources and association of Kotas in Kotagiri and organic food cooperative fish catching & marketing Yerpenda-Telangana production in Krishna river by Chenchu tribes who are survivors of Bonded Labour System

!18 4. MIGRANT WORKERS IN UNORGANISED SECTORS:

Migrant communities and marginalised tribals are India’s poorest people and they face varieties of discrimination and human rights violations in all phases of their life. Upcoming issues are major challenge for establishing social justice and ensuring economic equality of tribal and migrant communities in the present world scenario. Discrimination, displacement, deforestation, denationalisation, exploitation, land alienation, indebtedness, climate-change are major reasons for migration. Most of the migrant workers are engaged in About 450 million (45 Crores) are migrants in India. unorganised sectors and live in unsafe place

Migrants are more vulnerable to all-types-of-exploitation as many of them are poor, underprivileged, distress, ignorant and live in huts and hazardous locations. Migrant workers face many challenges including modern slavery, mistreatment, contract violations, abuse and exploitation, unsafe working conditions, which are often dirty, demeaning, and dangerous. Most of the migrants are from poor tribal communities and exploited effortlessly by the middlemen. Some of the Inter-State migrant workers are engaged into bonded labour system Migrant workers are the backbone of modern development. Migrants are employed across a variety occupations from agricultural irrigation to urban construction in all locations. These workers contribute to growth and development in both the destination districts and their villages of origin. Contribution of migrant labourers is huge in modern India. Currently, they are the most vulnerable groups. It is crucial that relief, rehabilitation, mitigation, recovery, supporting with legislations and plan for preparedness are The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act is necessary needs to ensure safety, security and dignity of the implemented in some of the Indian States migrant workers. We must have this type of inclusive approach and that will contribute for sustainable growth of nation.

There is a lack of policies and programmes in place catering to the needs of migrant communities. What we need is planned action with participatory approach to overcome current challenges for the sustainable development of the weaker sections of the society. One of the solution could be effective implementation of the labour welfare legislations. We do have Intra-District Migrants are rescued as core legislations such as the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act families from labour trafﬁcking crime 1979, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, Minimum Wages Act 1948, Payment of Wages Act 1936, Child Labour Prohibition Act 1986, and National Food Security Act 2013.

Uncertainty, unemployment, insecurity, illness, homeless, distress, unable to bargain minimum wages, language barriers, worries, family pressure, debt situation, identity loss —all these problems leads to bonded labour system, family disconnection, and inability to find alternative solutions which is the current Legal Service Authority plays vital role in conditions of the migrant communities in our country. Enforcing Labour Welfare Legislations !19 ROLE OF FSD IN PROTECTING RIGHTS OF THE MIGRANT WORKERS:

• Migrant communities form a large part of vast unorganised working sector who are completely illiterate, uneducated and unemployed. Their entry into the labour markets is marked with several disadvantages including lack of critical skills, information and bargaining power, that results in exploitative labour arrangements that forces them to work in low-end, low-value, hazardous work and on compulsion factors. The business behind exploitative recruitment and employment practices in the unorganised sector without the necessary legal protection accentuates this problem. The hardships of migrant workers are especially magnified when state boundaries are crossed and the distance between the "source" and "destination" increases. Hence, we are enforcing proper registration of migrant workers both at source and destination level.

• People who move from one place to another in search of work are easily exploited by the middlemen which leads towards forced labour system. Migration experts have over the years acknowledged various push and pull factors behind migration. The incentive to earn higher wages and related opportunities for growth in another state is a known pull factor. It is because the major migrant-sending states possess very low indices of economic and social development and the major migrant-receiving states act as the growing economic magnets in India. So, we are recommending that there should be a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between States along with Help-Desk at every state’s head-quarters like State’s Deputation Centre (SDC) which should give identity cards along-with 24x7 helpline with multi-lingual counselling support units.

• Most of the victims of migration are the women and children particularly the marginalised groups and that too the vulnerable tribal communities of backward districts. Therefore, we must address root-causes for unwanted-migration by cultivating local livelihood opportunities, active participation of the panchayati raj system, effective implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Forest Rights Act (FRA), Land Reforms Act (LRA), Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), Scheduled Caste Special Component Plan (SCSCP), monitoring level-of-reach of Government Welfare Schemes (GWS) to the villages located in backward districts, finding solutions to drought, planning for irrigation, revival of agricultural activity and improving skills and capacities of the rural people.

• Migrants largely contribute to the improvement of the trade and economy of the industries which is less known when it comes to payment of wages. The fundamental principles and rights at work are not recognised by the industry owners where the relationship between employers and employee gets into negative mode that leads to discrimination and social exclusion, therefore the role of legislation is required. The contribution of migrant workers to the state and national income is enormous but there is little done in return for their security and well-being. Accordingly, the Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, 1979 and Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996 mights be implemented and reviewed regularly by the head of every State. Additionally, we need to create awareness among the migrant workers and increase responsibilities of the various stake-holders to stop discrimination and promote dignity of the working communities.

• The FSD, with its limited resources, aiming to improve better living conditions for the migrant labourers through networking with government departments, activating community- based organisations, raising awareness, developing workers’ bargaining power, enlightening establishments to adopt good values and insisting power-holders for apt implementation of the pro-labour legislations.

!20 5. CHILD RIGHTS PROTECTION PROGRAMMES:

FSD RECOGNISING CHILD RIGHTS: In India, a child has right to be protected from destruction, discernment, mistreatment, and abuse at home and elsewhere. Every child should enjoy their childhood and children's rights include the right to survive, right to nutrition, right to education, right to recreation, right to protection, right to participation, and adequate opportunities for advancement. Unfortunately, all these rights are unreachable for the tribal children of the country.

According to international law, a ‘child’ means every human being below the age of 18 years. This is a universally accepted definition of a child and comes from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), an international legal instrument accepted and ratified by most countries including India. There are 472 million children in India under the age of 18 years, representing 39% of the country’s total population. A large percentage, 29% of that figure constitute children between the ages of 0 to 6 years. In addition, 73% of children in India are living in rural and tribal areas, often have limited access to fundamental needs such as nutrition, access to healthcare, education, and protection.

In order to promote sustainable development opportunities for the tribal children, we have selected seven-indicators which are most significant for achieving child rights in the target areas that can be replicated to other parts of the country in similar situations. Our NASC network members are giving importance to the protection and promotion of tribal children starting from execution of the Early Childhood Care and Education and overall development of tribal children.

3 RIGHT TO EDUCATION: Education determines prosperity, 4 success and security in life. Literacy RIGHT TO is an important indicator of RECREATION: development among tribal groups. In tribal society, recently, started We work for formal schools, special undersetting that formal education educational support camps with with recreation in the essential need child rights perspective. for child growth and development. We adopt various recreation methods with community for 2 enhancing child rights RIGHT TO on recreation. NUTRITION: This is most essential area for realising healthy life of tribal children with nutritional care. We create accountability of authorities to 5 address poverty, support parents FSD is adopting for food security. RIGHT TO rights based approach PARTICIPATION: Children and young people are not in protecting and the objects of development measures, promoting adivasi rather they have a right to participate in them. Strategies are adopted for child rights in the recognising right to participation for public society children which is tool for 1 empowering them. RIGHT TO SURVIVE: Tribal children are chronically undernourished, so we are addressing to ensure right to survive of the tribal children with Article 6 6 of the Convention on the Rights of RIGHT TO the Child through ICDS. DEVELOPMENT: Protecting children’s development is a key purpose of any government. 7 Number of laws is enacted to ensure RIGHT TO development of a child. FSD is PROTECTION: aiming to protect children’s Protection of children from physiological and psychological discrimination is essential by development. reducing children’s vulnerabilities, addressing inequalities, activating government’s accountabilities for progressive child rights nation!21 with inclusive approach. ACTIVITIES OF FSD IN PROMOTING CHILD RIGHTS:

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is primary working for the socio-economic, cultural, educational and environment development of tribal communities through investing on young-children for sustainable social change. Child rights activities are implemented in 37 districts of south India through the National Adivasi Solidarity Council.

We believe that, “Child labour and other forms of exploitation are preventable through integrated approaches by effective Child Rights Clubs in Tribal Villages enforcement of school education and child rights legislation that strengthen child protection systems as well as simultaneously addressing inequity, improving access to quality education and mobilising public support for respecting child rights”. Children belong in schools not workplaces. Addressing root-causes and activating justice system are two-important strategies to protect children from discriminations. So FSD implements activities for the protection of child rights in line with UNCRC guidelines.

Girls Child Rights Awareness Programmes 1. FSD is encouraging to invest in children for sustainable social change in the tribal society with rights-based approach. A rights- based approach starts from the premise that all children are “rights holders”. All children, irrespective of their economic status, race, colour, gender, language, religion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or any other status have the same rights and are entitled to the same protection by the State. Child Rights are fundamental freedoms and protecting and promoting child rights in the society is important for dignity. We adopt formal educational system and removing obstacles in Preventing Drop-Outs in Tribal Villages all aspects which is an important activity of the FSD members. 2. We implemented activities to promote School Enrolment Campaign with people’s participation that reached over 14,800 children as beneficiaries, which is the result of united action of the network members of the National Adivasi Solidarity Council. The activities of the Child Rights Project is much visible in 740 tribal villages and almost 90% of the children are regular school- going and reduced dropout remarkably in tribal areas. 3. Child Learning Centers are created over 370 locations for Labour Laws Training to Public Prosecutors guiding the students in formal education, support for higher studies, promotion of multi-lingual education and linkages for government scholarship and counselling for professional education which is impressively implemented by the members of National Adivasi Solidarity Council through networking efforts. 4. With our intervention strategies, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Learning Outcomes are used in 37 districts with the educational department through our network association. This effort is increased school enrolment and supporting for retention Legal Training to Government Ofﬁcers and as well as continue education.

!22 6. ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION AND ADOPTING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Background: The protection of environment is needed for sustainable development. The encroachment to forest, Industrial pollution, degradation of forests, depletion of ozone layer, the greenhouse gases results in global warming and change in climate which are creating adverse impact on environment and human health. There is a need for Conservation of Biodiversity with people’s participation, protection of forests, wetlands, plantation of trees, revitalization of rivers, regeneration of native crops and promotion of ecological balance which can together enables sustainable development. There are several provisions provided in Indian Constitution for protection of environment. The Government of India has enacted various legislations such as the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, The Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Apart from this, the Supreme Court of India has issued many directions for environment preservation.

Forest Conservation: The role of forests in the national economy and in ecology was emphasized in the 1988 National Forest Policy, which focused on ensuring environmental stability, restoring the ecological balance, and preserving the remaining forests. Other objectives of the policy were meeting the need for fuelwood, fodder, and small timber for rural and tribal people while recognising the need to actively involve local people in the management of forest resources. Forest Conservation Act of 1980 was amended to facilitate stricter conservation measures. The 2009 Indian National Forest Policy document emphasizes the need to combine India's effort at forest conservation with sustainable forest management. India defines forest management as one where the economic needs of local communities are not ignored; rather forests are sustained while meeting nation's economic needs and local issues through scientific forestry with combined action in forest conservation.

Biodiversity Conservation: Biodiversity consist of flora and fauna, i.e. varieties of plants, animals and microorganisms and other natural species. On the other hand Conservation of biodiversity is preserving and protecting Wild plants, animals and their habitats. Conservation of Biodiversity is the need of the hour. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is a federal legislation enacted by the Parliament of India for preservation of biological diversity in India, and provides mechanism for equitable sharing of benefits arising out of use of traditional biological resources and knowledge. The National Biodiversity Authority was established in 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act 2002 with involvement of multiple stake-holders. The NBA is a Statutory, Autonomous Body and it performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory function for the Government of India on issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.

Wildlife Conservation: Conservation of Wildlife is necessary to recognize the importance of nature and wildlife species. It is necessary to protect the endangered plants and animal species along with their natural habitat. Among the goals of wildlife conservation are to ensure that nature will be around for future generations to enjoy and to recognize the importance of wildlife and wilderness lands to humans. National and international government agencies dedicated to wildlife conservation, which help to implement policies designed to protect wildlife and bio-diversity. Number of nonprofit !23 organizations like the FSD also promote various wildlife conservation practices. Wildlife conservation has become an increasingly important practice due to the negative effects of human activity on wildlife. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972, was enacted for the protection of wild animals, birds, plants and matters connected to biological diversity.

Medicinal Plants Conservation: India is one of the hot spots of world’s biodiversity having wealth of medicinal plants. Indian forests are the main source of Medicinal Plants that gives India a unique position in the world. Medicinal plants form the major resource base for traditional systems of medicine including tribal and folklore medicines. Medicinal plants play a vital role in supporting healthcare system viz., Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and even Allopathy system of medicines. According to the World Health Organisations (WHO), 80% of the population utilizes locally available medicinal plants for their primary healthcare needs. About 8000 species of medicinal plants are used by local communities and tribal people in their traditional healing systems. The global demand for herbal medicine is not only large, but growing every year to fulfil the needs. It is estimated that over 20% is expanding demand in every year. Forests are the primary source of medicinal plants. About 90% of the country’s medicinal plants are found in the forest. Medicinal plants conservation is the process of management of biosphere in order to obtain the greatest benefit for the present generation and maintaining the potential for future. The value of medicinal plants to human livelihoods is essentially infinite. In the current period, medicinal plants are over exploited and consequently many species are on the verge of extinction. It is, therefore, imperative to protect, conserve and propagate the floral diversity of medicinal plants.

Global Warming and Climate Change: Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate. Even though it is an ongoing debate, it is proved by the scientists that the planet is warming. Climate is changing because the earth is warming up. Many are agreed that climate change may be one of the greatest threats facing the planet. Climate Change resulting from increased green house gases concentrations has the potential to harm societies and eco-systems. In particular, agriculture, forestry, water resources, human health, costal settlements and natural eco- systems will need to adapt to a changing climate or face diminishing functions. The changing climate patterns; especially increased frequency and severity of extreme events, will increase further vulnerability to the natural disasters and drought, flood and cyclones will become common in earth.

Indian Constitution on Environment Conservation: The Indian Constitution guarantees justice, liberty and equality to all citizens of the country. In Maneka Gandhi's case the court gave a new dimension to Article 21. It held that the right to 'live' is not merely confined to physical existence but it include within its ambit the right to live with human dignity. The same view was reflected by Court in Francis Coralie V. Union Territory of Delhi said that the right to live is not restricted to mere animal existence. Article 21 also constitute right to get pollution free water and air. Article 48 of Directive Principles of State Policy directs that the State to take steps to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines. Again Article 48-A requires the State to take steps to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. In M.C. Mehta (II) V. Union of India, the Supreme Court, relying on Article 48-A gave direction to Central and State Governments and various local bodies and Boards under the various statutes to take appropriate steps for the prevention and control of pollution of water. Article 51-A says that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living. These legislations are supporting for sustainable conservation of environment resources. In this perspective, the FSD organisation is working on forest conservation. !24 Activities of FSD for Environment Conservation: • Conserving the common property resources like forest, water bodies, and other natural resources by taking collective actions with the participation of the tribal community. • Formation and strengthening the people’s federation with the support of tribal and forest dwelling communities along with local self-government system for mutual understanding and adopting strategies to combat climate change collectively. • Revitalisation of forest conservation activities by developing seed collection, forest nursery, tree- plantation and community-based conservation responsibilities. • Promoting economic development of the forest depended communities by utilisation of forest with sustainable plan to overcome poverty as well as to reduce threat to the natural forest. • Integrating active participation of community and government in conservation of bio-diversity, forest resources for the best of next-generations to assure sustainable economic growth. • Creating awareness on climate change and global warming, and its impact on human society and using various scientific techniques along with revival of traditional conservation knowledge in preservation of the flora and fauna with ecological balance. • Networking and linkages with a like minded organisations for conserving, preserving and protecting the environment with joint-forest management with adequate budget allocation. • Promoting eco-based livelihoods for the economic development of the tribal communities and increasing their participation to work with forest department in protection of forests. • Implementing environment conservation legislations to protect the flora and fauna for the best of present and future generations.

ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES OF FSD

Involving Sustainable Multiple Forest Stakeholders Management in Ecology Protection

Community involvement & Biodiversity Combating Conservation & Climate Awareness Change

IMPORTANT

STRATEGIES

DEFORESTATION Tree Plantation is changing our TO CONSERVE and Forest climate, harming Protection to natural world and affecting ENVIRONMENT human life. We must protect our environment. AND FOREST

RESORUCES

IN INDIA Seed Collection and Nursery FSD Raising

!25 ACHIEVEMENTS OF FSD ORGANISATION

Livelihood projects helped to 890 women Self-Help Groups, which involved in various income generation activities to reduce poverty, and playing active role for gender equality, created assets on women’s name, increased women’s mobility and capacity of adolescents that has increased literacy, reduced dowry, child marriages and gender disparities. Educational programs improved literacy rate in 1200 villages, which supported to reduce school dropouts among tribal communities with special attention on rights of the girl children and consciousness on education is enriched among the tribal communities. The impact of educational awareness is helped to prevent tribal peoples’ migration, displacement, indebtedness, and motivated tribal people to come-to-gather to fight against discriminations by investing on young children for bright future. Implemented the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act in association with various district administrations in South India. We have identified, rescued and rehabilitated over 7400 bonded labourers. As part of cash-based rehabilitation support, Rs.4,74,48,990 is obtained by the freed bonded labourers as cash-based rehabilitation from government sources. Rescued bonded labourers obtained their entitlement rights that includes Aadhaar card, Voters card, Ration card, Job card for 100 days employment under MGNREGA scheme, house site, housing, formation of self-help groups, school enrolment, opening of bank accounts, scheduled tribes’ community certificates, welfare board membership, Girijan card for collection of minor-forest products collection and active participation in their local self- government for decision making process. Utilised Forest Rights Act for Scheduled Tribes and attained 2460 acres of land for agricultural development, which helped to improve living conditions, prevention of migration, indebtedness, and increased participation in Panchayat Raj systems by attaining government schemes and entitlement rights for enhancing land-based livelihoods. Advocacy with policy makers influenced to legislate important amendments / laws/policies such as the Forest Rights Act, Prevention of Atrocities Act, Standard Operating Procedures, Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Policy, Early Childhood Care & Education Policy and Rural Development Schemes and welfare programmes for tribals —which are accelerating for the wellbeing of weaker sections of the society. Working with central and state departments helped to implement pro-poor legislations especially the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, Indian Penal Code 1860, Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act 1986, Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act 1989, Interstate Migrant Workmen Act 1979, the Panchayat Raj (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act of 1996, the Scheduled Tribes & Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005, the National Food Security Act 2013 and other legal aid actions have played vital role to improve the public justice system in number of villages in South India. FSD is closely working with various multiple stakeholders especially with Department of Labour & Employment, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Department of Police (CID, AHTU, Women Wing), Department of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public distribution, Department of Rural Development (NREGS), Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Department of Fisheries, Department of Agriculture & Horticulture, Department of Prosecutions, State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), Department of Tribal Welfare, Welfare Departments (SC, BC & Minorities), Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Women & Child Welfare Department, Department of Environment & Forests, NGOs, Media, Universities, NHRC, SHRC, NCST, SCPCR and various research institutions.

!26 FUTURE PLAN

• Organising tribal communities with women’s leadership in every panchayats and achieving sustainable livelihoods development to make poverty history. • Developing tribal cadres with skills and capacities for non-stop growth among the adivasi villages to end migration, displacement, unemployment, inequality, violence and injustice. • Training on HELPE – Health, Education, Livelihoods, Protection and Entitlements with government support through enhancing grassroots movement for sustainable social change. • Sensitising on the intention of the rights-based legislations and understanding the functions of various departments in enhancing sustainable development with inclusive growth. • Activating government systems to keep-up accountability for accessing quality public justice system through System Reformation to function for the poorest of poor. • Implementing pro-labour legislations —especially the Bonded Labour System Abolition Act, Inter-State Migrants Workmen Act, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and others. • Creating sustainable income generation activities for the integrated development of weaker sections with women’s leadership and ownership over their entrepreneurship. • Revitalising traditional medicinal knowledge, tribal culture and promoting indigenous identity such as biodiversity protection, inclusive approach and gender equality values. • Networking for cross learning, stimulating collective development and achieving greater impacts with small investment through skill-oriented development trainings. • Documenting and sharing of the best practices for replicating to similar areas.

CONCLUSION

Our Constitution guarantees equality, freedom, justice, dignity, social unity and economic growth for all with human rights perspective. In reality, it is not reaching to the most marginalised and vulnerable communities such as the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Rural Poor and Migrant Communities. One such example is the prevalence of Bonded Labour System and Trafficking for Labour Exploitation which is violating basic human rights of the citizens and creating challenges and difficulties. Hence reassurance of liberation from injustice is vital need of the most marginalised. Therefore, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is fighting against poverty and injustice with peoples’ participation. The FSD recognises that eradicating bonded labour system in all its forms and causes, combatting discrimination and stimulating inclusive growth, and envisioning a peaceful society with equality, liberty, prosperity and dignity for all and moving to establish a society with equality.

(For additional information please visit our website www.fsdindia.org or meet our team)

!27

FSD

OUR SINCERE THANKS TO:

Adivasi Community Members Donors/Funding Supports to the Projects Members and Leaders of Freed Bonded Labourers’ Associations Members and Leaders of Self-Help Groups of Various Villages Representatives of Panchayat Raj Institutions Marginalised Workers Migrant Labourers Auditors & Advisors Network Members Board Members Staff Members Volunteers

!28

About the Executive Director

Dr. K. Krishnan is the Executive Director of Foundation for Sustainable Development and orator of the Constitutional Rights. Dr Krishnan is a respected trainer and advisor on issues related to adivasi rights, labour rights, gender rights, welfare legislations, education, livelihoods, environment, and serving as social scientist for the past 29 years. He is instrumental for release of over 7400 bonded labourers, guided 24,500 tribal children for higher education, organised tribal women in 256 villages, promoted livelihoods for over 7600 families, conserved medicinal plants above 180,000, travelled over 750,000 kms for tribal development and received national & international awards. Krishnan has written many books and articles on social issues and on tribal development matters. He and his team is implementing various projects in South India for the advancement of Adivasi Communities.

!29 FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

FSD OFFICE WEBSITE: www.fsdindia.org FSD

FSD is a grass-root organisation operating in South India for promoting social justice and economic equality with constitutional provisions by Working with most vulnerable communities, Empowering the rural poor to overcome poverty, Promoting child rights to increase literacy rate, Developing local employment with land rights, and Implementing labour welfare legislations with participation of multiple stake-holders.

FSD Coordination Oﬃce: J. K. Farm House, Veerangkuppam, Ambur Taluk, Tirupathur District, Tamilnadu State, India, Pin: 635802 Phone: +91-04174 257536 Mobile: 8300003900

FSD Branch Office Contacts:

Andhra Pradesh - 9848242394 Kerala State - 9387422811 !30 Tamilnadu State - 8144170046 FSD Telangana State - 8008605222