Lok Sabha Question No. 1632 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Reforms in Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- †1632

To Be ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2024

## REFORMS IN RECOGNITION OF FOREST RIGHTS ACT, 2006

†1632. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is lack of cooperation between the State Governments and the Union Government in the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has prepared any action plan to address this situation;
- (c) whether any special information campaign is being run in Rajasthan to raise awareness about the rights available under this Act and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers are facing disputes in the courts regarding their rights under the Act and if so, whether the Government proposes to bring legal reforms in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGA DAS UIKEY)

- (a) to (b): No Sir. Being the nodal ministry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, by exercising power under Section 12 of the Act has been closely monitoring the implementation of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (in short, FRA) and has continuously been exhorting State Governments to take all the necessary steps for the effective implementation of the Act.

To resolve field level problems if any in the implementation process and for facilitating benefit of Government schemes, the Ministry of Tribal  Affairs  and  Ministry  of Environment  Forest  and Climate  Change  have  issued  two  joint  advisories  dated  06.07.2021  and  14.03.2024  to  Chief secretaries of all FRA implementing states.

Government of India has launched scheme of 'Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' (DA-JGUA) which inter alia focuses on effective implementation of FRA and convergence of benefits of various Government Schemes (related to housing, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Schemes of  Department  of   Animal  Husbandry  &  Dairying,  Department  of  Agriculture,  Department  of Fisheries ) to FRA Patta holders to ensure socio economic development.

Further  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  has  also  given  modalities  to  State  Governments  to  initiate 'Mapping of Potential forest areas and preparation of FRA Atlas' which would be a monitoring and assessment tool for effective vesting of forest rights and providing funding for this. .

Additionally under DA-JGUA, to establish an institutional framework that provides support to the districts and the gram sabhas, Ministry is also providing funds to State Governments, for setting up dedicated FRA cells. The task of the dedicated team would be to support claimants in filing claims and facilitating access to necessary data in addition to monitoring of progress, reporting and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

For effective implementation of FRA review meetings are regularly held from time to time with State Tribal Welfare Department (including Rajasthan) and State Govt functionaries.

(c): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR),  under DA JGUA are conducting special capacity building campaign across all 20 FRA implementing States (including in  Rajasthan)  and  1  UT  to  generate  awareness  amongst  all  stakeholders  including  the  forest dwelling communities/ gram sabhas  about their rights under the FRA. State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs) and District Level Master Trainers (DLMTs) were trained in which Rajasthan's SLMTs & DLMTs had also participated. State Governments have also been advised to incorporate the training on PESA and FRA as a part of state annual training calendars under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) and to conduct regular training programs on these subjects.

Additionally, on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebration on 15th November, 2024, Special Gram Sabhas cum-Orientation/Training programmes were held across country. And as reported  by  MoPR,  in  Rajasthan,  3930  villages,  1891  Gram  Panchayats,  143  blocks  from  25 districts had participated.

MoTA also supports research, documentation and evaluation studies and provides funds based on proposals  submitted  by  States  to  carry  out  such  studies.     Many  States  have   translated  Act, Guidelines etc. in regional languages.

(d): The Ministry has also been arrayed as a party in various cases registered with different courts of the country, with regard to implementation of  FRA.    There is no proposal under consideration of Ministry for any legal reform as the present Forest Right Act and Rules has been able to address various  legal  issues.     However,  Ministry  is  focusing  on  capacity  building  and  also  awareness generation of all stakeholders including the community with regard to processes under FRA along with safeguards available under various laws for effective implementation.

*****