Mysuru: More than 50 members of the Hakki Pikki community have reportedly faced legal action in six countries over the past three months, raising concerns about the risks associated with overseas trade and prompting community leaders to seek government-led awareness programmes.
Many Hakki Pikki families depend on overseas sales of herbal products for their livelihood. However, community representatives say a lack of awareness about visa conditions, local laws, documentation and business regulations in foreign countries is increasingly putting travellers at risk of legal complications.
Legal action reported in six countries
According to community leaders, 11 Hakki Pikki members faced legal action in Chad during the past three months.
Ghana recorded the highest number, with 20 community members reportedly facing legal consequences. Nine members encountered legal trouble in Ivory Coast, while six faced issues in Fiji.
Three members reportedly faced legal action in Mozambique and one in Senegal.
The cases have raised concern within the community because many of those travelling abroad are dependent on the income generated through the sale of herbal products.
In Fiji alone, community representatives said the financial losses reportedly amounted to around Rs 80 lakh.
Lack of awareness cited as major concern
Community representatives have attributed much of the legal trouble to inadequate awareness about the rules governing travel and business activities in foreign countries.
Members often travel overseas to sell herbal products, but regulations governing such activities can differ significantly from one country to another.
Visa conditions are also a major concern. Karnataka Hakki Pikki Tribal Organisation president R Puneeth Kumar said visa violations were among the most common reasons for legal problems.
According to him, some members travel to foreign countries on tourist visas but subsequently engage in commercial activities, which may not be permitted under the terms of those visas.
He also pointed out that selling herbal medicines or products can require permissions from government authorities in destination countries.
Tourist visas and business activities
Puneeth Kumar said members need to understand the restrictions associated with their visas before travelling abroad.
“Many travel on tourist visas but engage in business activities. Selling herbal medicines also requires permissions from government agencies,” he said.
He advised community members to obtain all necessary clearances before attempting to sell products overseas.
The issue is particularly important because community members may be unfamiliar with the legal and administrative systems of the countries they visit.
Even activities that may be routine or permitted in India can be subject to different licensing, trade, customs or health regulations abroad.
Ghana raises concerns
A community member said the situation in Ghana had become particularly difficult for some travellers.
According to the member, authorities in Ghana warned Hakki Pikki members against engaging in business activities.
Some travellers had already spent considerable amounts on travel before encountering the restrictions, leaving them in a difficult financial situation.
The community has therefore urged the Karnataka government to provide structured guidance to people planning to travel abroad for commercial purposes.
Such assistance could help travellers understand the rules of destination countries before spending money on travel and business arrangements.
Community seeks pre-departure programmes
Community leaders have called for government-led pre-departure orientation programmes for Hakki Pikki members travelling overseas.
They want such programmes to cover visa regulations, local laws, documentation requirements, business practices and permissions needed to sell herbal products.
Such training could help prospective travellers understand whether their proposed activities are permitted under the visa they hold and what additional licences or clearances may be required.
The community believes that better preparation before departure could prevent many of the legal and financial difficulties currently being reported.
Migration linked to livelihood concerns
Puneeth Kumar said the organisation already conducts awareness programmes for community members.
However, he noted that overseas migration continues because of limited livelihood opportunities available locally.
Many families depend on overseas trading activities because they provide an income that is difficult to generate through available local employment and livelihood options.
According to him, addressing the underlying economic reasons for migration is equally important.
He suggested that providing alternative livelihood opportunities could reduce the need for members to travel abroad for trade.
Call for land for cultivation
Puneeth Kumar said the government could explore measures such as providing land for cultivation to create more sustainable livelihood opportunities within Karnataka.
“If the government provides alternatives such as land for cultivation, this migration can be reduced,” he said.
The suggestion is aimed at helping community members establish stable sources of income closer to home instead of relying heavily on overseas trade.
Community representatives believe that a combination of livelihood support and legal awareness would provide a more sustainable solution to the issue.
Need for coordinated government support
The recent cases have highlighted the risks faced by people travelling abroad without adequate knowledge of local regulations.
While community organisations are conducting awareness programmes, leaders say government involvement could make the process more systematic.
Pre-departure training could include information about appropriate visa categories, permitted commercial activities, product-specific regulations, customs procedures, documentation and contacts for assistance in foreign countries.
Such programmes could also help prospective travellers assess the financial and legal risks before committing to overseas business.
The reports of more than 50 Hakki Pikki members facing legal consequences in six countries have therefore prompted renewed calls for preventive measures.
For the community, the issue is not only about legal compliance abroad but also about creating viable livelihood alternatives at home. Better awareness before international travel, combined with stronger local livelihood opportunities, could help reduce the risks associated with overseas migration and protect families dependent on these earnings.