**Reasons for fears of Bastar people due to Forest Act**

The Forest Rights Act (2006) enacted in India aimed to recognize and secure the rights and livelihoods of forest-dwelling communities, including those residing in the Bastar region. However, there were several reasons that led to fears among the Bastar people due to the implementation of this act. These fears can be explained as follows:

**1. Lack of awareness and understanding:**
Many people in the Bastar region were unaware of the provisions and benefits of the Forest Rights Act. The lack of awareness resulted in confusion and apprehension among the local communities, leading to fears about potential negative consequences.

**2. Threat to livelihoods:**
The Forest Rights Act aimed to recognize and protect the traditional rights and livelihoods of forest-dwelling communities. However, there were concerns among the Bastar people that the act could lead to restrictions on their traditional practices, such as hunting, grazing, and collection of non-timber forest products. These activities were essential for their survival, and any restrictions would have a direct impact on their livelihoods.

**3. Land alienation:**
One of the major fears among the Bastar people was the possibility of land alienation. The Forest Rights Act allowed for individual and community rights over forestlands. However, there was a fear that the implementation of the act might result in the transfer of forestlands to non-tribal or corporate entities, leading to loss of control and ownership over their ancestral lands.

**4. Lack of implementation and enforcement:**
The Bastar people feared that the Forest Rights Act might not be effectively implemented and enforced. There were concerns about corruption, bureaucratic hurdles, and lack of political will, which could hinder the recognition and protection of their rights. This fear stemmed from past experiences of inadequate implementation of similar policies and regulations.

**5. Conflict with conservation goals:**
Another reason for fears among the Bastar people was the perceived conflict between their rights and the objectives of forest conservation. The act aimed to strike a balance between the rights of forest-dwelling communities and conservation, but there were concerns that conservation efforts might take precedence over the rights and needs of local communities, leading to displacement and marginalization.

In conclusion, the fears among the Bastar people due to the Forest Rights Act were mainly driven by a lack of awareness, concerns about livelihoods and land alienation, doubts about effective implementation, and potential conflicts with conservation goals. Addressing these fears required extensive awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and transparent and participatory implementation processes to ensure the protection and recognition of their rights and livelihoods.

The rebellion of Bastar in 1910 was caused by a combination of various factors. These included displacement, increased land rent and demands for free labour and goods. The most important reason was the attitude of the colonial government which wanted to subjugate the people and destroy their way of living by taking over their lands. In 1905, the colonial government proposed the reservation of two-thirds of the forest area and stop shifting cultivation, hunting and collection of forest produce. Those who were allowed to stay in the reserved areas had to work for the forest department. Gatherings of people took place where these issues were discussed. Gunda Dhur was an important leader during this time. Secret messages inviting the villagers to rebel were passed during this time. Bazaars were looted, houses of officials, traders, schools and police stations were burnt and robbed. All those who were attacked were associated with colonial state and its laws. The British ultimately put the rebellion down by employing heavy force. The reservations though, were temporarily suspended and the area under them was reduced to half.