In India, legal protections for indigenous or culturally significant public lands are primarily governed by various laws, policies, and constitutional provisions aimed at preserving and safeguarding the rights, interests, and heritage of indigenous communities and their traditional territories. While India does not have specific legislation exclusively dedicated to indigenous peoples' rights akin to laws in other countries, there are several legal mechanisms and frameworks that provide protections for culturally significant public lands, including: Constitutional Safeguards: The Constitution of India contains provisions that recognize and protect the rights of indigenous and tribal communities. Article 244(1) of the Constitution provides for the administration of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in accordance with tribal customs and traditions. Additionally, Article 19(5) of the Constitution allows the state to impose reasonable restrictions on the use of property for the protection of the interests of Scheduled Tribes. Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas: The Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution designate certain areas in India as Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas, respectively. These areas are inhabited predominantly by tribal communities, and special provisions are made for their governance and administration. The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (commonly known as the Forest Rights Act or FRA) provide additional protections for the rights and interests of tribal communities in these areas. Forest Rights Act (FRA): The Forest Rights Act, 2006, recognizes and vests forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. It provides for the recognition of individual and community forest rights, including rights over forest land traditionally used or occupied by indigenous communities for habitation, cultivation, grazing, or other livelihood purposes. Environmental Laws: Various environmental laws and regulations in India, such as the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, contain provisions for the conservation and protection of ecologically sensitive areas, wildlife habitats, and culturally significant landscapes. These laws may indirectly contribute to the protection of indigenous peoples' rights and cultural heritage associated with public lands. Judicial Interpretation: Indian courts have recognized and upheld the rights of indigenous communities to their traditional lands, natural resources, and cultural heritage through judicial decisions. Courts have relied on constitutional principles, international conventions, and customary laws to protect indigenous peoples' rights and address disputes over land acquisition, resource extraction, and environmental degradation affecting tribal territories. International Instruments: While not directly applicable in Indian domestic law, international instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) provide guiding principles and standards for the protection of indigenous peoples' rights, including their rights to land, resources, and cultural heritage. Overall, while there is a legal framework in place to protect indigenous and culturally significant public lands in India, challenges remain in effectively implementing and enforcing these laws and ensuring the meaningful participation of indigenous communities in decision-making processes affecting their rights and territories. Efforts to strengthen legal protections and promote indigenous peoples' rights are ongoing through advocacy, policy reform, and community empowerment initiatives.