News: The Chhattisgarh forest department has withdrawn its directive barring other government departments, NGOs, and private entities from undertaking any work related to Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR).
About Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR)
- These are legal rights granted to forest-dwelling communities, empowering them to protect, regenerate, conserve, and manage forest resources within their traditional or customary boundaries.
- These rights are recognized under Section 3(1)(i) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA).
- Key Provisions
- Legal recognition: CFRR legally acknowledges the traditional rights of communities over forest land and resources, shifting management authority from the forest department to the Gram Sabha.
- Scope: Rights extend to customary common forest land, including reserved and protected forests, sanctuaries, and national parks, provided the community has traditionally accessed and managed these areas.
- Gram Sabha as nodal body: The Gram Sabha becomes the primary authority for forest management, empowered to make rules for forest use, conservation, and protection.
- Protection from eviction: Communities cannot be displaced from their recognized forest areas without their explicit consent.
- Objectives and Benefits
- Sustainable livelihoods: CFRR enables communities to sustainably harvest non-timber forest produce (NTFP) such as honey, bamboo, and medicinal plants, supporting local livelihoods.
- Conservation and biodiversity: The Rights empower communities to protect forests from deforestation, mining, and other external threats, promoting biodiversity and climate resilience.
- Cultural and customary Rights: They recognize and safeguard traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and rituals related to forests.
- Decentralized governance: They democratize forest governance by vesting decision-making powers in local institutions, fostering participatory and inclusive management.
- Implementation Status (as of year 2025)
- Limited progress: Only three states – Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha – in India have recognised a notable number of CFRR, with Maharashtra being the only state where these rights have been operationalised.
