Chhattisgarh's Forest Rights Tug-of-War: Community vs. Department Directives
The Chhattisgarh forest department plans to manage forest land given to tribal communities under the Forest Rights Act until a central government plan is available. Activists claim this decision undermines the Act, which grants forest management rights to local forest dwellers. Criticism stresses on community-led governance under the Act.
- Country:
- India
The Chhattisgarh forest department intends to oversee forest land management granted to tribal communities through the Forest Rights Act until an official plan is furnished by the central government. This move has sparked contention among activists, who argue it contradicts the Act granting management rights to forest dwellers.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, V Sreenivasa Rao, points to a 1996 Supreme Court directive mandating scientific forest management and proper planning. He further highlights a collaborative letter from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Environment Ministry that plans a model for managing community forest resources.
Tribal rights activists criticize the forest department's decision, asserting it contravenes the democratic principles of the Act, intended to empower local communities in forest governance. Anubhav Shori from Chhattisgarh Vanadhikar Manch criticized the department's actions as undermining community governance progress.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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