GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA), aimed to empower forest communities, yet significant challenges persist. A recent study highlights limited recognition of Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights across most states, undermining the Act’s objectives.
Current Status of CFR Rights
- Only Maharashtra has operationalised CFR rights effectively.
- Chhattisgarh and Odisha have recognized just 36% and 10% of potential CFR areas, respectively.
- States like Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have yet to acknowledge these rights.
Displacement of Forest Dwellers
- Over 100,000 forest dwellers have been displaced due to protected area expansions.
- Since 2000, protected areas have increased by 72%, forcing the relocation of over 64,000 families from core tiger reserves.
Impact of Development Projects
- Over 300,000 hectares of forest land have been diverted for mining and infrastructure.
- Policies like the Green Credits Rules fail to adequately address community rights.
Green Displacement and Carbon Forestry
- Carbon forestry projects aimed at sequestering 2.5 gigatonnes of CO₂ risk further displacing forest communities.
Community Mobilisation and Hope
- Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district has demonstrated successful community-led conservation, improving local employment and resource management.
Policy Changes and Their Effects
- Post-2014 amendments to the Forest Conservation Rules have weakened forest dwellers’ rights.
- The 2022 rules dilute the recognition process, increasing conflicts over land use.