ABSTRACT

The pandemic crisis in India has significantly affected all communities, particularly members of vulnerable social groups, including those living below the poverty line, elders, persons with disabilities, children, and Indigenous peoples. In general, COVID-19 and the succeeding lockdown threatened the livelihoods of tribal members and forest dwellers, according to a joint preliminary assessment report, which had been submitted to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs during first week of May 2020 by the Community Forest Rights-Learning and Advocacy (CFR-LA), the All India Forum of Forest Movements (AIFFM), and other rights groups. Negotiations between tribal peoples and their local governance appear vital for obtaining long term and sustainable preventive equipment against COVID-19. Public acceptance—or the lack thereof—is a major challenge to vaccine uptake in India due to large differences in knowledge and attitudes towards vaccination in general.