Lok Sabha Question No. 2034 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Preservation of Tribal Identity and Collective Rights
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.-2034

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 11.12.2025

## PRESERVATION OF TRIBAL IDENTITY AND COLLECTIVE RIGHTS

## 2034. SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has not prioritized the protection of community forest titles which preserve tribal identity and collective rights despite the Fact Findings Committee flagging this as a major gap;

- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the Concrete steps being taken by the Government to fast-track claim verification to address backlog and prevent further marginalization of forest dwelling tribals;
- (d)  the  reaction  of  the  Government  to  the  shifting  of  FRA  nodal  authority  from  gramsabhas  to  forest departments in Chhattisgarh; and

(e) whether such a move undermines tribal self governance and if so, the steps being taken to Safeguard the spirit of FRA?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a) & (b):  The Forest Rights Act, 2006 was enacted with the objective of undoing the historical injustices faced by Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers due to the long-standing non-recognition of their rights over forest lands and resources. Section 3(1)(i) of the Act explicitly provides for the 'rights to protect,  regenerate  or  conserve  or  manage  any  Community  Forest  Resource  which  they  have  been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.'

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has issued advisories to State Governments and UT Administrations to ensure the protection and recognition of Community Forest Rights (CFRs) in the true letter and spirit of the FRA, with the aim of safeguarding tribal identity, customary governance systems, and their collective access to forest resources.  Further,  the  Ministry  has  issued  detailed  Guidelines  for  Conservation,  Management,  and Sustainable Use of Community Forest Resources in 2023 to facilitate effective CFR governance.

In  addition,  necessary  financial  support  has  been  extended  to  State  Governments  under  the  Dharti  Aaba Janjatiya  Gram  Utkarsh  Abhiyan  (DA-JGUA)  for  strengthening  Gram  Sabhas  and  Community  Forest Resource  Management  Committees,  including  for  the  preparation  and  implementation  of  community-led forest management plans.

(c): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has consistently engaged with State Governments and UT Administrations through  periodic  review  meetings  to  monitor  the  implementation  of  the  Forest  Rights  Act  (FRA)  and  to expedite the disposal of pending claims. States with high levels of pendency have been specifically directed to undertake special drives for accelerated backlog clearance. Further, the Ministry has repeatedly advised State  Governments  to  ensure  the  regular  convening  of  Gram  Sabhas,  Sub-Divisional  Level  Committees (SDLCs), and District Level Committees (DLCs) for the timely scrutiny and disposal of claims. The State Level Monitoring Committees (SLMCs) have also been urged to proactively review and address grassrootslevel issues to facilitate effective and efficient implementation of the Act.

(d) & (e):  The matter was related to the State Government of Chattisgarh and has been resolved. The Ministry of  Tribal  Affairs  is  fully  committed  to  safeguarding  the  spirit  of  the  Forest  Rights  Act,  2006.  Regular advisories and review meetings are held with State Governments and UT Administration to ensure FRA is being implemented. Time and again several Capacity-building programmes, technical support, and advisories are issued to the States. The Ministry also monitors progress and supports States through targeted interventions under schemes like DA-JGUA.

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