- Inaugural issue of ‘Koitur: People of Nature’ released at HNLU
The Centre for Law and Tribal Studies at Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) , Raipur, released the first issue of its annual journal, “Koitur: People of Nature.” The journal presents tribal life and culture from an interdisciplinary and legal perspective.
The magazine was released by Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. Ravindra Bhat , Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Member of the General Council of HNLU on the occasion of the 5th Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture held on 26th January 2026.
Conceived under a premier law university, “Koitur: People of Nature” goes beyond cultural documentation and presents tribal issues through constitutional, legal, and policy frameworks. The journal incorporates academic research, field-based studies, and community voices to address topics such as customary law , forest rights , land and resource governance , self-governance , access to justice, and the interrelationship between tribal knowledge systems and modern legal institutions.
This publication also reflects the Law University’s vision of socially committed legal education , which encourages students and researchers to develop a critical perspective on the role of law in protecting tribal identity, culture, and rights. By linking legal analysis with cultural and ecological perspectives, Koitur encourages meaningful discourse on tribal justice, sustainable development, and inclusive progress.
As a unique academic initiative, ‘Koitur: People of Nature’ aims to bridge the dialogue between academia, tribal communities and policy-making processes and make significant contributions to tribal studies and rights-based research.
The release ceremony was graced by the presence of Prof. V.C. Vivekananda , Vice Chancellor , HNLU ; Dr. Ayan Hazra , Editor of Koitur and Head of the Centre for Law and Tribal Studies ; and Dr. Deepak Srivastava , Acting Registrar. University faculty and students were also present.