Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has clarified that Community Forest Resource (CFR) Gram Sabhas, through their CFR Management Committees, hold sole authority to formulate CFR Management Plans (CFRMP) as per Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
- This clarification came after the Chhattisgarh forest department issued an order designating itself as the nodal agency for implementing CFR rights, contradicting FRA provisions.
- Forest Rights Act, 2006 aims to correct historical injustices faced by forest-dwelling communities and secure their livelihood and food needs.
Community Forest Resource (CFR) management plans
- CFRMPs advance social equity by involving marginalised groups, including women and tribal youth, in decision-making and economic activity, aligning with the FRA’s vision of environmental justice.
- These plan must be tailored to their unique ecological, cultural and socio-economic contexts.
- This community-led model stands in stark contrast to the top-down, positioning Gram Sabhas as stewards of both sustainable forest management and resilient livelihoods.
- To facilitate this process, the Union government in 2023 launched the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan.
- It is a separate programme that enabled State governments to empanel NGOs to assist Gram Sabhas in preparing CFR management plans.
