Context : Norway’s Apology and Recognition of Historical Wrongs
- Norway’s Parliament issued a formal apology for past assimilation policies targeting indigenous groups like the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finns.
- Norwegianisation (1850s–1960s) aimed to suppress indigenous languages and cultures, leading to systemic discrimination.
- The Norwegian government has taken measures such as indigenous language protection and inclusion monitoring (starting 2027).
- Despite progress, Sami languages remain endangered, and indigenous communities still face inequities in healthcare, education, and land rights.
Relevance :GS 1(Society),GS 3(Environment)
Parallels Between Nordic and Himalayan Indigenous Communities
- The Himalayas, spanning 2,500 km from Afghanistan to Northeast India, hold the world’s largest ice reserves outside the poles.
- Like the Nordics, Himalayan communities face climate change, resource exploitation, and cultural erosion.
- Home to 52 million people from diverse ethnicities (e.g., Gaddis, Kinnauras, Lepchas, Bhutiyas, Apatanis, and Khas communities).
- These groups have experienced assimilation through colonialism, post-independence policies, and neoliberal economic frameworks.
Colonial Policies and Their Impact on Himalayan Communities
- British trade laws disrupted traditional economies (e.g., coerced participation in tea, gold, silk, and opium trade).
- Trade blockades in the Northeast caused economic crises, halting agricultural production and even marriages due to silk shortages.
- Forest laws in Himachal and Uttarakhand led to massive deforestation (e.g., 80,000 km of railway track construction destroyed forests).
- Sal forests in Garhwal and Kumaon were devastated for timber extraction.
Post-Independence Policies and the Shift Towards Exploitation
- Nehru’s humanistic approach (initial 15 years post-independence) promoted respect for tribal autonomy and culture.
- By the 5th and 6th Five-Year Plans, state-led development prioritized resource extraction over indigenous rights.
- The 1990s marked a shift towards economic self-sufficiency, forcing Himalayan states to rely on tourism and hydropower.
- Unlike other Indian states with an industrial base, Himalayan states were pressured to generate revenue via environmental exploitation.
Hydropower Projects: A Case of Economic Exploitation
- Hydropower became a key revenue source (e.g., Arunachal Pradesh projected₹445 crore annually from three projects).
- Despite economic promises, projects often bypass local laws and undermine tribal land ownership.
- Customary land rights and traditional governance structures are frequently ignored.
- “Hydro-criminality” – a term used by civil society groups – describes the corrupt nexus of bureaucrats, politicians, and corporations facilitating large-scale land acquisition.
- The result: cultural displacement, environmental degradation, and the marginalization of traditional livelihoods.
Lessons from Norway: The Need for Accountability
- Norway’s recognition of historical injustices sets a precedent for state accountability.
- The Himalayan region has yet to receive an acknowledgment or apology for centuries of systemic exploitation.
- Sustainable, inclusive development models are needed to protect both environmental resources and cultural heritage.
