A rights-based initiative in the Nilgiris, by Adivasis and for Adivasis
நீலகிரியில் உரிமைக்கான தடம், ஆதிவாசிகள், ஆதிவாசி களுக்காக
Forest, land, and education for all.
Ours is a federation of nine ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups’ in the Nilgiris’ Gudalur taluka - the Toda, the Irular, the Paniyar, the Jenu Kurumbar, the Betta Kurumbar, Mulla Kurumbar, Kattunaikar, Kothar, and Alu Kurumbar.
We fight for our right to land and forests; our right to representation in the government; and our right to education in our Adivasi languages.
Education
The MANNINA MAKKA KELPATHU (MMK) Trust is run by young Adivasi girls as part of the NVTGF’s education program for Adivasis in Adivasi languages . It was created for Adivasi children who were dropping out of government schools because they could not understand Tamil, the official language of the state of Tamil Nadu.
The MMK Trust now runs 10 evening tuition centers with 10 Adivasi tutors for 103 Adivasi children.
Implementing the FRA
Gudalur taluka’s first FRA consultation meeting with community leaders was held in 2017. The implementation status of FRA in Tamil Nadu remains negligible. Adivasis are rarely aware of the FRA process, nor do communities have a clear understanding of the status of land holdings.
NPVTGF Gudalur has produced FRA awareness materials in the form of songs and stories. Engal Vanathin Kanavu (Our Forest Dreams), a story book detailing the history of Adivasi communities, rights to forests, and the process of claiming forest rights, has been translated to six Indian languages so far.
Community
NPVTGF Gudalur works as a mediator between the government and Adivasi communities. This includes negotiating on behalf of Adivasi families for access to welfare schemes, especially housing and ration subsidies, and ensuring that funds reach beneficiaries directly.
