In the lead-up to assembly polls, PM Narendra Modi seeks to reach out to tribals

In his Mann-Ki-Baat radio broadcast through All India Radio, Modi lauded the simplicity of tribal people.
PM Narendra Modi (File | PTI)
PM Narendra Modi (File | PTI)

NEW DELHI: In the run-up to the ensuing run upto elections in five states including tribal stronghold Mizoram and also Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh with substantial ethnic communities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday tried to reach out to these sections and lauded their love and care for mother nature.

In his Mann-Ki-Baat radio broadcast through All India Radio, Modi lauded the simplicity of tribal people and at the same time appreciated their sense of fighting for the rights and protection of natural resources.

"This is a fact that the tribal community believes in very peaceful and harmonious co-existence but, if somebody tries to harm and cause damage to their natural resources, they do not shy away from fighting for their rights," Mr Modi said.

Prime Minister said tribal people worship trees and plants and flowers like gods and goddesses.

"The Bhil tribes of Central India and specially those in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh worship Peepal and Arjun trees religiously. The Bishnoi community in the desert land of Rajasthan has shown us a way of environment protection," Prime Minister said.

"Specially, in the context of serving trees, they prefer laying down their lives but cannot tolerate any harm to a single tree," he said.

In the similar manner, Modi said the Mishmi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh claim their relationship with tigers. "They even treat them like their brothers and sisters. In Nagaland as well, tigers are seen as the forest guardians. People of Warli Community in Maharashtra consider tigers as their guests and for them the presence of tigers is a good omen indicating prosperity".

Prime Minister said there is a belief among the Kol community in Central India that their fortune is directly connected with the tigers and they firmly believe that if the tigers do not get food, the villagers will have to face hunger .

"The Gond tribes in Central Indai stop fishing in some parts of Kaithan river during the breeding season. They consider this area as a fish reserve and they get plentiful of healthy fishes because of this belief of theirs," he said.

Tribal communities make their dwelling units from natural material which are strong as well as eco-friendly.

In the isolated regions of the Nilgiri plateau in South India, a small wanderer community Toda make their settlements using locally available material only, Prime Minister said.

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