PROGRAM : ‘Tribal Youth pledge to Protect Tribal Rights, Traditions and Environment’
MODULE IV : Understandig and Reducing Vulnerabilities
PLACE : Mancheryala, Telangana.
DATES : 11,12 & 13 July 2025
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS : Adilabad Jesuit Tribal Empowerment Society, Utnoor, Diocese of Adilabad Society, Mancherial and Snehadana Society, Luxettipet, Telangana State.
Resource Persons ( Name )
Mr. Prabhakar
Mr. Vasanth Kumar,
Mr. Vinay
In Mancheryala, Telangana, 32 youth, Gond and Kolam tribes from Jodeghat, Chennapettnam, Pataguda, and Tokenguda participated in the youth capacity building training. The training mainly focused on PESA Act and how it empowers tribal communities with their rights. The youth understood the importance of the 5th Schedule in protecting the rights of tribal people and ensuring their self-governance.
The training helped them to learn about tribal education schemes, skill training, awareness programs, and growing digital access. However, they also raised concerns about serious threats posed to them, losing of forest land in the name of development, the impact of alcohol and migration, exploitation by outsiders, and climate change affecting their traditional ways of life.
Lakshmi, tribal youth said, “I learned about PESA Act. This Act gives tribal communities power to form local councils to take decisions for their own resources in their villages”. She feels empowered that she has right to ownership of land, water and forest that belongs to tribals.
Praveen another youth participant said, as a democratic citizen I am really happy to know about my rights and duties according the constitution. Democracy is important because it gives power to people.
After the training they are motivated to do something meaningful for their villages and protect their people, traditions, and environment.
Adv. Karuna Rao
Facilitator, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana
Social Inclusion and Democracy Unit.