International Tribal Day: Celebrating the significance of Indigenous people

Every year, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Population is celebrated on August 9. Also known as International Tribal Day, it is observed to create awareness about indigenous people of the world and to protect their rights.

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At the beginning of the 21st century, the United Nations discovered that tribal groups across the world are a victim of unemployment, child labour, and many other problems. The UN thus felt the need to create an organisation for the same and so UNWGIP (United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Population) came into formation. The International Tribal Day was first pronounced by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994, marking the day of the first meeting of United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Population in 1982. 

According to the United Nations, every 2 weeks, an indigenous language disappears. This shows the amount of risk tribal people face. Therefore, the International Tribal Day is observed to recognize their importance and the contribution they make to protect and conserve the environment.

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A few days back, many people belonging to the tribal community and those supporting them, had demanded to declare International Tribal day as a National Holiday. Given the significance and importance of tribal people, many tribal leaders like Hansraj Meena and the Tribal Army are urging the Govt to announce it a National Holiday .

https://twitter.com/TribalArmy/status/1287949358206300160

मैं प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi जी व देश के तमाम राज्यों के मुख्यमंत्रियों से अपील व अनुरोध करता हूँ कि आगामी 9 अगस्त को "विश्व आदिवासी दिवस" पर संपूर्ण देश में "राष्ट्रीय अवकाश" घोषित करें। आखिर @UN की घोषणा के बाबजूद भी भारत ऐसा क्यों नहीं करता? #विश्वआदिवासी_दिवस_NH_घोषित_करो

— Hansraj Meena (@HansrajMeena) July 12, 2020

#विश्वआदिवासी_दिवस_NH_घोषित_करो trended on twitter as more and more people urged the Prime minister to declare 9 August as a National Holiday.

The Tribal people are thus important to the world. Their culture, knowledge and contribution towards protecting the environment have always been regarded to be the best. Therefore, International Tribal Day seeks to celebrate their uniqueness and protect their rights. 

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