Summary:
Nagpur: Tribals of India were suffering a lot because the Forest Rights Act (FRA) was not being implemented properly. The British had taken away the rights of tribals by enacting the Forest Act. The tribals are the sufferers in the process as they are getting displaced in large numbers," he further said.Turning to tribal languages, Padel said that they were more ancient than Sanskrit. Otherwise it will be swallowed by the mainstream," he said.The anthropologist has done an in depth study on tribals of Orissa. He has championed their rights and has supported their struggle against mining in forest areas notably Niyamgiri..