Tribal Affairs Minister inaugurates ‘Virtual Training of Trainers Programme on Forest Rights Act, 2006’

Source: PIB

What is the News?

The Minister of Tribal Affairs has inaugurated a ‘Three day National level Virtual Training of Trainers Programme on Forest Rights Act, 2006,’ as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav/Parv.

About National level Virtual Training of Trainers Programme

This Programme on Forest Rights Act will help in enhancing the knowledge base of the Forest Rights Act and ensuring the development of the tribal community.

The themes designed in the program will help in understanding Community Rights, Community Forest Resources, empowering the right holders for forest governance.

About Forest Rights Act, 2006:

• The Forest Rights Act is also known as Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
• The act recognizes the rights of the Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes(FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers(OTFD), on the forest resources.

Objectives of the Act:

• To undo the historical injustice that occurred to the forest-dwelling communities
• To ensure land tenure, livelihood, and food security of the forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers
• To strengthen the conservation regime of the forests by including the responsibilities and authority of Forest Rights holders for sustainable use, conservation of biodiversity, and maintenance of ecological balance.

Rights: The Act identifies four types of rights:

• Title rights: It gives Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes(FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers(OTFD) the right to ownership to land farmed by tribals or forest dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares.
  • Ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family, and no new lands will be granted.
• Use rights: Right of extracting Minor Forest Produce, grazing areas among others.
• Relief and development rights: To rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.
• Forest management rights: It includes the right to protect forests and wildlife.