This report examines Forest Right Act (FRA) implementation over two decades in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha, highlighting innovations, challenges, and persistent gaps.
About Forest Rights Act, 2006
- Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act, popularly known as FRA was enacted in 2006.
- Objective: To undo historical injustice occurred to forest dwelling communities; ensure their livelihood & food security etc.
Challenges in FRA Implementation
- High Rejection Rates: Due to procedural errors, lack of documentation, or misinterpretation of FRA provisions.
- Recording of Rights: Poor quality of land records and incomplete recognition processes.
- Post-Recognition Issues: Difficulties in delineating Community Forest Resources (CFRs) and forming Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMCs).
- Institutional Capacity Gaps: Weak capacity at central and state levels, coupled with poor inter-departmental coordination.
- Other issues: Social and Knowledge Barriers, Uneven implementation across states ,Limited integration of Gram Sabha in process etc.
Key Recommendations from UNDP Report
- Recognizing forest rights holders as a category across all social protection and livelihood programs
- Provide dedicated funds for FRA right holders under national and state schemes.
- Link FRA with national rural livelihood mission (NRLM), ensuring gender-sensitive livelihood opportunities.
- Introduce a sunset clause to fix an end date for recognition and vesting of rights.
- Strengthen post-rights support, moving beyond a welfare approach to community empowerment.
- Ensure integration of FRA with PESA (Provisions of the Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 for holistic governance.
