Directive restricted other government departments, NGOs, and private entities from working on Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) undermining the Forest Rights Act (FRA). 

• The directive was initially issued to align CFRR with the National Working Plan Code 2023.

About CFRR:         

• CFRR are provided under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (Forest Rights Act 2006) 
• It includes the right to “protect, regenerate or conserve or manage”(via gram sabha) the community forest resource(CFR).
  • CFR area is common forest land that has been traditionally protected and conserved for sustainable use by a particular community.
• These rights allow the community to formulate rules for forest use by itself and others and thereby discharge its responsibilities under FRA. 

What is the National working Plan code 2023?

• Released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate change in 2004 and amended in 2014. 
• Acts as the guiding principle for the preparation of the working plan for scientific management of different forest divisions of our country.