Forest Rights Act, 2006

1. Forest Rights Act, 2006

In 2024–25, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched a nationwide plan to strengthen the Forest Rights Act by creating 300 dedicated FRA Cells in 18 states and UTs, under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.

Objectives of FRA, 2006

• Acknowledging Entitlements: To affirm the traditional rights of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) over forest lands essential for their daily needs.
• Securing Livelihoods: To promote sustainable use of forest resources that support both the environment and the economic stability of local inhabitants.
• Strengthening Communities: To empower forest-dependent communities by granting them legal rights over forest land and natural resources.

Key Features of the New FRA Cells

• These cells aim to monitor and speed up the implementation of the FRA.
• They will help resolve pending claims of forest rights by individuals and communities.
• Focus states include Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Assam, and Jharkhand, where backlogs are high.
• The cells will also assist in handling grievances and awareness-building among forest dwellers.
   

Provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006

• Legal title to forest land for those residing there for generations.
• Right to collect and sell minor forest produce (MFP) like bamboo, honey.
• Right to grazing, fishing, and access to water bodies.
• Community forest rights to manage and conserve forest resources.
• Gram Sabha plays a key role in claim verification and rehabilitation.

Key Challenges in Implementation

• Lack of awareness about FRA rights among tribal populations.
    Example: Many villages in Odisha unaware of community forest rights.
• Slow disposal of claims by district-level committees.
    Example: Over 3 lakh claims pending in Madhya Pradesh alone.
• Eviction threats during conservation or development drives.
    Example: Forest dwellers evicted during tiger reserve expansions.
• Weak Gram Sabha capacity to handle legal and administrative roles.
    Example: Low training in Chhattisgarh’s tribal blocks.
   

Way Forward

• Train local officials to handle FRA claims more efficiently.
    Example: Digital training modules in Maharashtra show promise.
• Empower Gram Sabhas with legal and administrative literacy.
    Example: Jharkhand is piloting legal awareness camps.
• Use GIS tools to map traditional forest use.
    Example: Telangana using satellite mapping to verify claims.
• Resolve pending cases on a mission mode basis.
    Example: Special claim clearance drive in Assam underway.
   

The launch of FRA Cells reflects a growing push to turn legal promises into real protection for forest-dwelling communities. For true impact, the government must combine institutional reforms, local empowerment, and technology to ensure justice reaches the roots.