Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, and the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) jointly organised a two-day workshop on “Tribal People and Environmental Governance” on October 30 and 31, 2026, bringing community experiences into dialogue with law, policy and conservation.

In his inaugural address, HNLU Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) V. C. Vivekanandan emphasised that forest guardians must be central stakeholders in environmental governance rather than remain on its periphery.

The inaugural programme also featured remarks by Mr. Satyajit Jena, while Prof. Vishnu Konoorayar, Dean of Research, outlined the workshop’s objectives. Dr. Ayan Hazra, Co-Convenor, welcomed the gathering, and Mr. Aashutosh Aahire, HNLU faculty member, proposed the vote of thanks.

Discussions on Community Rights and Environmental Governance

The technical sessions featured community perspectives shared by Ms. Satyawati and Ms. Dhaneshwari Sen. FES representatives Dr. Manjeet Bal Kaur and Mr. Shivam also contributed to the discussions.

The sessions covered environmental governance, climate resilience, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), and the Forest Rights Act. Mr. Sanjoy Patnaik spoke on environmental governance, Mr. Satyajit Jena addressed climate resilience, Mr. Prakhar Jain examined PESA, and Mr. Ashwani Kange discussed the Forest Rights Act.

Dr. Neeraj Dewangan highlighted the importance of reciprocal learning between institutions and communities.

Organising Committee

The organising committee comprised Dr. Ayan Hazra, Dr. Rana Navneet Roy, Dr. Debomita Mondal and Prof. Aashutosh Aahire. Mr. Pradeep Barman delivered the valedictory vote of thanks, and Prof. Deepak Srivastav, Registrar-in-Charge, addressed the gathering.

The student organising committee included Agam Gupta, Sanya Purohit, Alice, Anshi, Liza, Deepak, Fanibhushan and Vidit Mathur.