• Call for Papers
• Registration
• Fee Structure
• Important Dates
• Traveling and Hospitality
• Entry formalities: Information on ILP and RAP
• About the Venue and Climate
• Contacts

Call for Papers

Dear Sir/Madam,

It is a pleasure to inform you that Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India organizes a three day international seminar on Resources, Tribes and State from 13th to 15th February 2012. The seminar will be spread over several academic sessions including inaugural and valedictory functions. (A copy of the write-up on the theme of the seminar topic is attached).

We cordially invite your participation and a presentation (oral/poster) on any theme outlined in the theme paper. We also request you to recommend the name of interested scholars whom we shall contact for their participation and presentation of the paper.

Thematic outline of the seminar topic Resources, Tribes and State

Resources and their sustainable use, precisely in response to Brundtland Commission Report, 1986 have occupied the centre stage in development discourse. The concern has stemmed from the awareness of the contradictions in the relationship between resource use and level of development: high level of consumption depletes resources at a higher rate and depletion of resources cause the level of consumption unsustainable.

In spite of this awareness, the per-capita consumption of key natural resources is very high in rich countries. A recent World Bank Report records that 2.3 billion residents of low-income countries consumed less than 3 per cent, while 1 billion residents of high income countries consumed more than 80 per cent of the total global resources. According to another report, while 10 per cent rich countries consume more than 70 per cent of world resources, the remaining 90 per cent depend on only 30 per cent of the global total. But a trend has emerged in the countries from this 90 per cent bracket in which the people are increasing the consumption of resources consequent upon their falling upon consumerism. In view of this a recent paper of UN Environment Programme (UNEP) predicts that the consumption of resources would go up from the current level 60 billion tonnes to 140 billion tonnes by 2050.

As a matter of fact, indigenous and tribal communities inhabited in different regions of the globe have been playing a vital role in preservation and management of natural resources within the frame of their indigenous knowledge. It is not a surprise to find that about 80 per cent of the world’s cultural and biological diversity have been reported in their inhabited regions. But the connections between tribes and resources have emerged as critical issues having inter-related internal and external dynamics. Tribes have acquired commercial interest in their resources, consequent upon state sponsored development interventions, which they have conserved so far due to subsistent livelihood pursuits within the frame of their indigenous knowledge system (IKS). The emerging commercial interests have linked the resources to the market demand thereby expanding the demand base beyond the community. The expansion of demand base is further facilitated by the State which often accesses these resources in the pretext of national development, but caters to the consumption level of rich sections. Added to it is the global demand for resources to maintain the consumption level of rich countries. Not surprisingly, we find transnational corporations (TNCs) as major players in mining and quarrying, damming the rivers and establishing industries particularly in resource abundant tribal areas. The entry of TNCs and other private players is facilitated by the state through its legal instruments.

Undoubtedly, the trajectory of development has been significantly a state mediation through which the issue of connections between tribes and their resources provides both opportunities and challenges. A critical scrutiny of it has been a growing interest in contemporary scholarship. The interest has further implications; first, the concerns for preserving culture and formulating sustainable strategies of development, and over exploitation of resources for commercial interests that stands contrary to the spirit of cultural preservation and sustainable resources use; second, the response of tribal and indigenous people b to these connections with resilience and negotiations.

With this backdrop a three international seminar is proposed to address the above issues across the countries in the globe, inhabited by indigenous and tribal people, with a view to understand the operational dynamics and development perspectives both in principle and practice, and with emphasis on forces and process of interventions. The negotiation of the tribes with forces of interaction and intervention shall be viewed from the perspectives of both the people and intervening agencies. The general themes to be included are the following:

1. Theoretical issues: Development perspectives and the connections of resources, tribes and State; resource perceptions-community and state interface
2. Land, tribes and State: competing interests and emerging realities
3. Water resources vis-à-vis tribes and development interventions
4. Forests and Tribes: state mediation
5. Identity issues-resistance and negotiations
6. Legal and policy instruments and tribal interests (national and international regulations, policies, programmes including UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)

However, the themes are not exhaustive, but they are merely suggestive to the issues to be taken up in the seminar for deliberation.

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Registration

You are kindly requested to fill in the registration form and send it to the Director of seminar before 31st August, 2011. A nominal registration fees is prescribed which may be payable on spot during the seminar. However, the amount may be remitted on line. Details shall be furnished soon.

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Fee Structure

Participants from India: Rs. 1000.00
Students: Rs. 250.00
Overseas participants: $250
Students/research scholars (overseas): $100

Registration Format

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Important Dates

• Last date of submission of abstract: 15th September, 2011.
  The abstract of the paper should not exceed 300 words.
• Last date for submission of full paper: 30th November 2011
  The full paper may be sent by e-mail or hard copy along with CD.
• Reviewing of the paper and communication on financial assistance: 20th December, 2011.

The length of full paper including tables, diagramms, illustrations, references etc. should be between 5000 to 6000 words. The full paper should be in English and typed in MS-Word in Times New Roman with font size 12. References cited should be arranged alphabetically and given at the end of the text in the APA format only.

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Traveling and Hospitality

We shall not be able to pay you Traveling Allowance due to fund constraints though we wish we can. Kindly arrange the same from your parent department/Institute. However, on receiving of the full papers and after reviewing it the Organizing Committee will consider for partial financial support after suitable decision of the Organizing Committee.

But we shall provide you fooding and lodging during the seminar and arrange local sight seeing trips.

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Entry formalities: Information on ILP and RAP

Arunachal Pradesh is a restricted area. For Indian nationals Innerline permit (ILP) is required. Participants are to contact Resident Commissioners/Deputy Resident Commissioners, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi. For overseas participants RAP (Restricted Area Permit) from Central Government is required for which they have to contact the Principal Resident Commissioner, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Chanakyapuri, Kautilya Marg, New Delhi, India; or Home Department, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

At least before two months the photostat copy of Passport and Visa may be sent to the concerned office for processing and issuing of RAP.

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About the Venue and Climate

The seminar will b conducted in Rajiv Gandhi University, a Central University, located at Itanagar which is the capital seat of the state of Arunachal Pradesh with historical significance. Arunachal Pradesh, a mountainous state is inhabited by a number of tribal communities with rich traditions and culture. The lush green mountains, dales and valleys, river systems, flora and fauna are exquisitely beautiful to the nature lovers. During February, the climate at Itanagar is pleasant. However, the participants are requested to bring light warm clothes with them.

The place is well communicated by road from Guwahati, the capital of Assam. Air services are regular to Guwahati, Tezpur, Lilabari from Kolkata and Delhi. The nearest air port Lilabari is about 4o kms from the venue of the seminar.

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Contacts

Dr. M.C. Behera, Seminar Director, Associate Professor, AITS, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh-791112. (Ph.+91 360-2277373 (Res), Mobile-+91 94362 52229, e-mail: mcbehera1959@gmail.com

Dr.Jumyir Basar, Seminar Co-organizer, Asst. Professor, AITS, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh-791112, Ph.+91 360 2277372 (O), email: jumyir@gmail.com

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