Forest Rights

Forest Rights

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal agency for implementing the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The Act seeks to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded. The Act was notified for operation with effect from 31.12.2007. The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Rules,2008 for implementing the provisions of the Act were notified on 1.1.2008. As per the provisions of the Act and the Rules framed thereunder, the onus of implementation of the Act lies at the level of the State/UT Governments. The Act seeks to recognize and vest certain forest rights in the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. The Ministry, to ensure that the intended benefits of this welfare legislation flow to the eligible forest dwellers, has also issued comprehensive guidelines to the State/UT Governments on 12.7.2012 for better implementation of the Act. Further, to strengthen the Forest Right Rules, 2008, the Ministry has also notified the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Amendment Rules, 2012 on 6.9.2012.