Bamboo rising

Nobody in Loyendi village keeps track of time. But for its 150-odd residents, December 7, 2012, is a day to remember. “It is our independence day,” says village elder Petra Kanhara. On this day, the village in Odisha’s Kandhamal district got community right over 20 mountains full of forests under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).

Meghalaya redefines forest

‘Modern buildings cannot breathe’

New rules to make FRA effective

In a much awaited move meant to ensure effective enforcement of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006, the Union tribal affairs ministry has proposed amendments to the rules under it.

FRA guidelines to help forest dwellers freely trade in minor forest produce

The Union tribal affairs ministry has issued a set of guidelines aimed at ensuring better implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 which gives forest dwellers and tribal people the right to collect and trade in minor forest produce (MFP) like tendu leaves and bamboo. The new guidelines state that forest dwellers no longer need to get transit passes for carrying MFP, including bamboo, outside the forest. The movement of all MFPs should be exempted from the purview of transit rules of state governments, state the guidelines issued on July 12.

Losers again

Proposed amendments to the forest Act will further weaken the position of forest dwellers

On foot and pedal

Half-way to autonomy

The tiny 16-house village of Kuppaner in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district is bustling with activity. A few days ago, its gram sabha started felling bamboo in areas where it has community forest rights (CFR). Kuppaner is among the 400 villages in the district that have been granted CFR under the Forest Rights Act.

Another Maharashtra village demands community forest rights

These days all 225 residents of a small village in Maharashtra, Pachgaon, are busy slicing bamboo to make sticks on which incense stick material can be stuck.

Don’t say bamboo

In Maharashtra’s tribal district of Gadchiroli, naxalism appears to have a status akin to Voldemort’s (the evil wizard in Harry Potter books). The word must not be said by anyone, including government officials. Naxalites are referred to as “those people”, “inside people” or “bhai log” (big brothers) in the region.