Tribal Affairs Secretary Stresses Importance of Community Forest Rights Implementation

Union Tribal Affairs Secretary Ranjana Chopra called on State governments to focus on recognising community forest rights under the Forest Rights Act of 2006 during a regional conference in Bengaluru.

The remarks follow recent criticism faced by the Tribal Affairs Ministry over an August 31 office memorandum stating that the FRA has no provision for Gram Sabha consent to divert forest land.

During the conference, the Ministry also stressed the need to digitise FRA records, launch a new national-level FRA portal, and integrate Community Forest Resource Management Plans.